Snedeker in a tie for lead with Blair after putter lets him down

Brandt Snedeker missed birdie putts from 12 feet on the last two holes and had to settle for a share of the lead with fellow American Zac Blair after the third round of the Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawaii on Saturday. Widely known as one of the best putters in the game, Snedeker finished up with a flawless four-under-par 66 on a calm afternoon at Waialae Country Club to post a 16-under total of 194 in pursuit of his eighth PGA Tour victory. A stroke in front of the chasing pack overnight, Snedeker was delighted to keep bogeys off his card but was frustrated that he failed to birdie either of the two par-fives—the ninth and 18th—when in good position off the tee. “Disappointing that I parred them both from the middle of the fairway and I had a couple of really good looks for birdie that I didn’t make,” the 35-year-old told Golf Channel. “Hopefully those putts will go in tomorrow and it should be a lot of fun,” he added. The unheralded Blair, still seeking his first win on the US circuit, fired a bogey-free 64 to end the day level with Snedeker, though he squandered a golden opportunity to birdie the last when he missed a putt from just three feet. Compatriot Kevin Kisner, who for most of the day duelled with Snedeker and Blair for the lead, was alone in third place at 15-under after carding a 66. “I just pulled it, nothing more to it,” Blair, 25, said of his missed putt on the 18th green. Asked if he would adjust his strategy for Sunday’s final round, Blair replied: “If I just go out and kind of go with the same game plan, try and hit a lot of fairways, hit the greens and roll in a few putts, I should do good.” Porteous seals win in Jo'burg South African Haydn Porteous held his nerve for a bogey-free round of 69 to claim a maiden European Tour victory at the Joburg Open yesterday. Joint overnight leader Porteous made just five bogeys all week and hit every green in regulation during his final round, while the chasing pack behind him struggled for the same consistency. The 21-year-old finished the tournament on 18-under-par, two shots ahead of compatriot Zandersaf Lombard (71). A further shot back was group of four players, all of who looked as though they may steal the limelight on Sunday before fading—Swede Bjorn Akesson (68), England’s Anthony Wall (72), Daniel Im (70) from the US and home hope Justin Walters (69). The three top-ranked players have also earned their place at he 145th British Open at Royal Troon in July.