Jordan Spieth takes one-shot lead into final round at Travelers

CROMWELL, Conn. — The rest of the field took their best runs at Jordan Spieth, but the 23-year-old star remained king of the mountain at the Travelers Championship for another day.

Spieth sank a 20-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to take an one-shot lead over Boo Weekley on a low-scoring Saturday at TPC River Highlands.

"It’s not the easiest course to hold the lead on," Spieth said. "I think I said the same thing at the John Deere in 2015. I was leading after 54 (holes) by a shot or two, and it’s just not the easiest course because guys get out there an hour before you tomorrow in twosomes and all of a sudden there’s a group that is one back or you may not be leading anymore."

Spieth, who is trying for his 10th career win, finished the round at 4-under 66 and is 12-under overall. After shooting 7-under in the opening round on Thursday, Spieth has only lost the lead for a hole twice, with Charley Hoffman holding it briefly in the third round.

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"I think I've got to stay really positive," he said. "I've got to stay focused on my goal. Just any other noise that's out here, throw it out the window, stay focused on the goal that we set for the round tomorrow."

While Spieth has become one of the golden boys of golf, Weekley, 43, is the tour grinder who has battled back from injuries and personal problems to stay on tour. He posted four birdies on the back nine to shoot 5-under (11-under overall) and is looking for his first win since the 2013 Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial.

"It’s been awhile since I’ve been sitting up here," Weekley said about being brought into the media room after his round. "I’ve been having some personal troubles back home and I’ve been trying to get that taken care of.

"It feels surreal to be back up here."

Daniel Berger sits alone in third place at 9 under, while three players are at 8 under including 2015 runner-up Paul Casey. C.T. Pan, who shot the low round of 6 under, and David Lingmerth are tied for fourth, too.

"Jordan’s at the top of the leaderboard," said Casey, who was one of 12 players to shoot 4-under or better in the third round. "It’s looking pretty stacked where I'm at and maybe some guys just behind me. It’s a par 70, and it can be a difficult one to, you know, sometimes break par on. We’ve seen some great players this week who missed the cut."

Hoffman was able to wrestle the lead from Spieth, who lead after the first two rounds. The 40-year-old journeyman moved to the top with a birdie putt at the 15th hole to reach 10-under, while Spieth was in the process of bogeying No. 9 to fall a shot back.

Spieth played a steady front nine with consecutive birdies on No. 6 and 7 to move to 10-under. However, he found a fairway bunker off the tee on No. 9, then left a 12-footer about a foot short for par to surrender the lead.

But it was no worries for the world’s sixth-ranked player. He birdied the 10th and 11th holes to move to 11-under. Meanwhile, Hoffman dropped to 8-under with a double bogey on the 16th after struggling to get out of the rough.

Spieth found trouble again on the 13th hole, driving his tee shot into the water. He went on to bogey that hole and the par-4 14th, but came into the clubhouse with birdies on 15, 16 and 18.

"I expect some guys to make some birdies and make a run," Spieth said. "Boo and Berger are two guys who are not afraid to go low on Sundays. They both historically have done that. So we’ve got a tough gig ahead."