FARMINGTON – Sam Saunders took full advantage of premium scoring conditions on the San Juan Country Club golf course, firing a 10-under par 61 in Saturday’s third round of the 61st San Juan Open.
Saunders goes into Sunday’s fourth and final round with a two-shot lead over Josh Anderson as they both seek a second championship in the event.
Saunders, who captured the 2018 San Juan Open and currently work as an assistant coach for the men’s golf team at the University of New Mexico, ended up with the lowest scoring round of the day, just one better than defending tournament champion AJ Ott.
Conditions were optimal on the course Saturday, with warm temperatures and little to no wind effecting the trajectory of shots. The greens continue to play fast, particularly on the back nine, which is playing at a combined 303-under par through the event, as opposed to the front nine at 215-under par.
Saunders got off to a fast start with birdies on each of the first four holes, followed by a nearly flawless back nine, with birdies on the 10th hole, as well as three in a row on the 15th through 17th holes. He also took full advantage of the par-5 14th hole, which has been one of the most course’s finest targets this week, scoring an eagle on the hole.
A field of 16 golfers will contest the course Sunday in the final round of the San Juan Open, with Saunders and Anderson to be joined in the final pairing by Jared Sawada, who is five shots off the lead at 13-under par.
Saunders’ performance on the back nine Saturday was exceptional, particularly on the par-4 10th where he elected to use a driver and hit a tremendous first shot, just missing the green. He followed that shot with an excellent chip uphill that put him inches away from the hole where he tapped in for birdie, snapping a string of five consecutive holes at even-par.
“That one got me started again,” Saunders said. “Just a really good tee shot and a better approach.”
Anderson, who won this event in 2020, came into the third round with a one shot lead over Saunders. He fired 7-under on the day, going 4-under on the front nine and 3-under on the back nine.
San Juan Open Leaderboard (Third Round Complete)
1, Samuel Saunders, -18
2, Josh Anderson, -16
3, Jared Sawada, -13
T4, AJ Ott, -12
T4, Michael Feagles, -12
T6, Noah Hofman, -11
T6, Griffin Barela, -11
T6, Wil Collins, -11
T6, Connor Jones -11
10, Garrison Smith -10
“I played well, but (Saunders) played beautifully, and unfortunately, you can’t really play defense on golf,” Anderson joked after the round.
Sawada had an adventurous third round, getting off to a rough start on the second with a double bogey. He rebounded nicely with birdies on the third, sixth, seventh and ninth holes before making the turn.
“It was a rough start for sure. I made it onto the green in two shots on the first hole, but three-putted, then hit the ball out of bounds on the second hole,” Sawada said. “But you put that behind you and regain your focus and then I was able to make some shots to stay in there.”
Playing himself into contention heading into Sunday’s final round was Ott, looking for his second consecutive San Juan Open title. Ott came into Saturday at 3-under par but fired a 9-under par 62 to put himself in a tie for fourth place with Michael Feagles, who both sit at 12-under par.
Ott and Feagles will be paired with Noah Hofman, one of four golfers who head into the final round tied at 11-under par along with Connor Scott, Wil Collins and Griffin Barela.
Fourth round pairings will begin at at 8 a.m. on Sunday, with the leading trio of Saunders, Anderson and Sawada scheduled to reach the course at 9 a.m. Following the conclusion of the fourth round, awards will be handed out for leading pro and amateur golfers.
For a look at the complete leaderboard, check out ashertour.com.
