China's Dou Zecheng had seven birdies in his seven-under 64 on Saturday to grab a share of the 54-hole lead in the PGA Tour's Byron Nelson tournament alongside Ryan Palmer and Austin Eckroat in Texas, U.S.
Dou, 26, settled in the Dallas area about five years ago so he could pursue a career in golf. He and Eckroat top the leaderboard after 54 holes for the first time in their PGA Tour careers as they chase a first title, while Palmer claimed the most recent of his four wins in 2019.
Dou Chengze of China lines up a putt on the 18th green during the third round of the Byron Nelson in McKinney, Texas, May 13, 2023. /CFP
On a windy afternoon in north Texas, Dou got things going with a 19-foot birdie at the second and added a 15-footer at the fifth, then blasted out of a bunker to three feet for birdie at the sixth.
He drained a 20-foot birdie at the 13th, and got up and down for birdie at the 14th and again at the 16th – where he was in a cart path off the tee but gave himself a 28-foot birdie chance and made it.
He kept things going with a chip to one foot to save par at the par-three 17th.
Along the way, he said he tried not to pay too much attention to the leaderboard.
"I know I'm playing pretty good. I don't want to have to know who's in the lead, how much back I am to get in my head, and mess up shots," said Dou.
Dou Chengze of China plays his shot on the third hole during the third round of the Byron Nelson in McKinney, Texas, May 13, 2023. /CFP
"Played really solid today," he said. "Hit really good drives. Left myself more opportunities than yesterday and rolled a couple, and once in a while you make one. That's how confidence is gained."
However, he admitted not long after capping his 64 with a two-putt birdie at the par-five 18th: "I do feel some nerves already."
He is hoping he will next be called winner, who has missed eight cuts this season and has never finished in the top 10 in 44 previous PGA Tour starts.
"It's going to be big for sure," said Dou. "There is a whole lot more golf to play, so I'm in good in the position like this, creating more chances, and that's all I'm thinking."
The best finish by a mainland Chinese golfer on the PGA Tour was a third place by Li Haotong at the 2017 Open Championship.
Ryan Palmer of the USA hits from the 10th tee during the third round of the Byron Nelson Byron in McKinney, Texas, May 13, 2023. /CFP
Eckroat had 10 birdies to overcome a double-bogey in his eight-under 63 while Palmer joined the group on 16-under 199 with his sixth birdie of the day at the par-five 18th.
Palmer's 35-foot eagle putt was headed for the heart of the cup but stopped on the lip, giving him a three-under 68.
The leading trio were two strokes in front of a quartet headlined by world No. 2 Scottie Scheffler, who was joined by Australian Jason Day (66), Sweden's Vincent Norrman (65) and South Korean Kim Si-woo (68).
(With input from agencies)