The PGA Championship: Day 3

By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — Charl Schwartzel has put himself in position to win his second major of the season after firing a bogey-free 68 on Saturday.

But given the difficulty of the finishing stretch, it’s probably safe to say the young South African won’t be making birdie on the final four holes like he did on Sunday at the Masters. Schwartzel had played them 5 over in the first two rounds, twice making double bogeys, but managed one birdie and three pars on Saturday. 

"Definitely some of the toughest I’ve ever played," Schwartzel said. "… The first couple days, they have not treated me too well. And then today was much better. I think I was 1 under through the last four holes, and I think any time you’re going to do that on this golf course, you know you’re going to end up fairly well.

“These last four holes are going to decide this golf tournament."

Schwartzel, who opened with consecutive 71s, said he felt like he played cleverly — if not conservatively — on Saturday. On the plus side, he’s made 12 birdies, four of which came in the third round, but he’s also had four bogeys and three double bogeys to halt his momentum.

"The course is just very penalizing," Schwartzel said. "A few of the holes that were inviting me the first two rounds I took with a bit more caution today. … The whole week, it really has been good ball striking for me, and I’ve made a bunch of birdies, but just, you know, the first two days have been too many bogeys and double bogeys, and today I managed to prevent those."