Griffin still leads Procore, but Scottie is closing fast

Remember that bit of advice supposedly by the great Satchel Page, “Don’t look back, something may be gaining on you”? 

Make that someone, and in this situation, it’s the world’s No. 1-ranked golfer.

Ben Griffin is still in front after three rounds of the Procore Championship, but the lead that was two shots after Friday was narrowed Saturday to one shot.  

And maybe because that golfer a shot behind is an amateur—if the No. 1-ranked amateur in the world Jackson Koivun—Griffin acted as unconcerned as possible. 

“I’m hitting it solid, just got to continue to play long,” said Griffin.

Then again, another shot back is Scottie Scheffler, the world’s No. 1, who has been closing on Griffin and everyone as the tournament progressed. Griffin had his highest score of the week, a 70, and a 3-round total of 16-under par 200. Koivun, with a 68, was at 15-under. Scheffler, after having his best score of the tournament, an 8-under 64, was at 14 under.

“I had a good day today,” said Scheffler, “better than the last two days, for sure. Got off to a good start, had a good front nine, turned nicely.” 

Scheffler, Griffin, and others who normally might not be in a fall tour tournament entered as a final warm-up for the Ryder Cup, which is the end of September at Bethpage Black on Long Island.

But competitors that they are, once the pros teed off at Silverado Country Club in Napa, they were dead serious about winning the Procore.

“Having a one-shot lead on the PGA TOUR going into Sunday,” said Griffin, “and my game feels great, so I can’t complain at all.”

The only complaint you’ve heard this week in the Napa Valley, where the weather has been beautiful, is the usual one about California courses, including Pebble Beach and Torrey Pines, the poa annua greens. They get bumpier as the day goes along and require a great understanding.

“It’s always challenging putting on afternoon Poa, the ball has a tendency to move around. These greens have a lot of pitch in them as well, but I did a good job of holding some nice putts today,” said Scheffler.

Griffin did the same thing until 18, when he made his only bogey of the round.

Koivun, 20, a sophomore at Auburn, had a pre-Procore advantage by playing in the Walker Cup a week ago at Cypress Point.

Same coastal conditions and Poa annua. Koivun said he is learning as he is competing. 

“I think learning and confidence for me go hand in hand,” said Koivun. “The more I learn, the more confident I get. I think as I learn more, I’m just going to be more confident out here.”

The rest of us can be confident that the final round of this Procore should provide a finish to be remembered.