It was a race to the clubhouse to finish the third round Saturday at a soggy Silverado. Here’s where things stand heading into the final round at the Safeway Open:
Leaderboard: Johnson Wagner (-15), Patton Kizzire (-14), Scott Piercy (-14), Paul Casey (-13), Martin Laird (-12)
What it means: Piercy finished the rain-delayed second round on Saturday morning with a three-shot lead, but he was unable to extend his advantage in Round 3. Piercy and the rest of the field battled through rain squalls on the back nine, and Wagner emerged with a one-shot lead before play was suspended due to standing water and darkness.
Round of the day: Michael Kim made eight birdies and one bogey for a 7-under 65. The 2013 Jack Nicklaus award winner moved all the way up to T-6 and is only four strokes off the lead.
Best of the rest: Kizzire still has two holes to complete on Sunday morning, but he’s already five under on his round and one stroke off the lead. He made five birdies on the front nine and added one more circle on the par-4 12th before making his lone bogey on the par-4 14th.
Biggest disappointment: While just about everyone else was making birdies in the soft conditions, Piercy struggled to keep his lead in Round 3. He still has two holes remaining – including the par-5 18th – but Piercy only made one birdie against two bogeys before play was called.
Main storyline heading into Sunday: The PGA Tour’s 2016-17 season opener is off to a wet start, and the forecast doesn’t look better for Sunday. Tee times were already scheduled to be moved up in anticipation of another storm system rolling through the Napa Valley, and that could be good news for players looking to post a number and put pressure on the final groups. Keep an eye on Paul Casey (two back) and Open champion Phil Mickelson (six back).
Shot of the day: Wagner jumped into contention with this birdie chip-in at No. 8:
