Lahiri slips in third round, but stays in contention at Greenbrier

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Anirban Lahiri staged a terrific fightback after a disappointing front nine to bring home a card of one-over 71 in the third round of the Greenbrier Classic here.

Lahiri who bogeyed first, second, seventh and ninth on front nine, stopped the leakage of shots in the back nine as he birdied 12th, 14th and 17th to take his total to 11-under 199.

The Indian golfer slipped from overnight T-2 to T-6 but is still within striking distance at just three shots behind leader, Harold Varner (66).

With the Old White TPC dried out on a sunny Saturday the scores weren't as low as the first two days when rains softened the course. Yet there were no less than eight rounds of 63 or better.

Lahiri, who holed a lot of long putts on second day, missed at least three inside six feet and another one from under nine feet.

Varner is tied with second-round leader Kelly Kraft (69). Varner had four back-nine birdies after 10 consecutive pars. Kraft led by as many as four strokes but bogeyed two of the final three holes and shot one-under 69. Both were at 14-under 196.

Fifteen golfers were within five shots of the lead. Defending champion Xander Schauffele and Kevin Na were at 13 under. Both shot 65.

Kraft and Varner are looking for their first PGA TOUR wins in their 85th starts. Since this tournament debuted in 2010, there have been four first-time champions, but no third-round leader has won.

The tournament has been decided by two or fewer strokes every year and has gone to a playoff three times. The 2016 tournament was cancelled after devastating floods.

Sam Saunders was alone in fifth place at 12 under after a 67. Bubba Watson shot 65 and was among three players at 11 under. Watson hopes to add this tournament to his three other wins this season.

Watson wants to honor his late father, Gerry, a Green Beret who fought in the Vietnam War. Watson also owns a vacation home at The Greenbrier Sporting Club.

The top four players not already exempt among the top 12 finishers will earn spots in the Open Championship at Carnoustie starting July 19.