RBC Canadian Open Round 3: Jackson Suber Takes a One-Shot Lead as Bud Cauley Gives Chase

Saturday at Osprey Valley handed out promotions and demotions in about equal measure. When the shuffling stopped, Jackson Suber was the one holding the pen.

Suber shot a 4-under 66 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley to reach 13-under 197 and take a one-shot lead into the final round of the RBC Canadian Open. Bud Cauley, also chasing a first PGA TOUR title, is alone in second at 12 under after a 66 of his own. Four players are tied for third at 11 under: Wyndham Clark, Tommy Fleetwood, Brice Garnett and Jesper Svensson. According to the AP, 17 players are within four shots of the lead.

Suber Owns the Par 5s

Suber's week has a pattern, and it is a good one. He has birdied both par 5s in every round, per the AP, and Saturday's finish followed the script. On the par-5 18th he got up and down for one last birdie to slide ahead of the pack. Earlier, he rolled in an 18-footer on the par-3 14th.

It is the first time Suber has held a 54-hole lead on TOUR. His best finish to date came three weeks ago at THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson, a tie for fourth that left him seven shots behind the winner. He also qualified on Monday for next week's U.S. Open, the second time he has made it into the field.

Suber credited the long game. "I've just hit good drives there and I feel like I've been in a good spot and iron play seems to be my strength," Suber said, per the AP.

Cauley Keeps Climbing

Cauley's 66 was built on one hot stretch. It began on the par-3 14th, where his tee shot stopped inches from the hole. He followed with birdies on 15 and 16, the last from 13 feet, for three in a row. Counting Friday's 63, Cauley has played his last 36 holes in 11 under.

There is more than a trophy in this for him. Cauley came into the week ranked No. 68 in the world and narrowly missed qualifying for the U.S. Open on Monday. A strong finish could push him into the top 60, which would earn him a spot at Shinnecock Hills next week. That is a lot riding on one round.

The Svensson Slip and the Clark Charge

For a while it looked like Jesper Svensson would sleep on the lead. Svensson was in front until the 17th, where a three-putt double bogey cost him two shots and the top spot. He signed for 68 and sits two back.

Clark went the other direction. The CJ CUP Byron Nelson champion shot 63 and jumped into the tie for third. Fleetwood and Garnett each shot 67 to stay right there. Fleetwood, who lost a playoff here three years ago, is lurking again.

Billy Horschel, who has struggled all season, found something with a 64 to join a big group at 10 under. That group also includes defending champion Ryan Fox (68), Sam Burns (69), Jimmy Stanger and Canadian Sudarshan Yellamaraju. Viktor Hovland and Jacob Bridgeman both shot 64 to reach 9 under.

Hard Landing for James

Friday's leader had one of the toughest afternoons in the field. Ben James, playing his first event as a professional, made five straight bogeys on the front nine and did not record a birdie until the 15th. He shot 78 and fell to a tie for 59th. Haotong Li, part of the five-way tie for second after 36 holes, struggled even more with a 79. Keith Mitchell, also one back to start the day, posted 72 and dropped to 7 under.

Koepka's day carried a different kind of worry. Koepka felt numbness in his left arm, received treatment on the course and said he had never experienced anything like it. He grinded out a 72 and sits seven back.

"I'm struggling to grip the club with my ring finger and pinkie finger, so can't grip it," Koepka said, per the AP. "My fingers would come loose, it was kind of numb. I don't know what the deal was but hopefully we'll figure it out."

Canada's Best Hope

Yellamaraju, from Mississauga, carried the home flag on Saturday. His 5-under 65 moved him into the tie for seventh at 10 under, three back, and made him the low Canadian heading into Sunday, according to The Canadian Press. Matthew Anderson, who shared the first-round lead, shot 69 and is at 8 under. Taylor Pendrith slipped to 7 under after a 70.

Weather on the Way

Sunday will not be a stroll. The forecast calls for rain and wind, and because of the incoming weather, tee times were compressed into a window from about 10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., with threesomes going off both the 1st and 10th tees, per The Canadian Press.

Suber already knows the plan. "So just staying patient," Suber said, after explaining that a rough day would not be decided over the first nine to 15 holes.

With 17 players within four shots and a forecast like that, patience might be the only strategy that holds up. Suber has the lead, Cauley has the momentum, and a crowded third-place group has the experience. The final round will sort out which matters most.

Catch up on the week in our Round 1 recap and Round 2 recap. The PGA TOUR's Round 3 recap (opens in a new tab) has more details.

Sources: PGA TOUR, AP, The Canadian Press, Golf Today. More golf coverage on Undrafted.

Photo: PGA TOUR.