The Chileans climbed into the St. Jude Championship with a strong third round. Joaquín Niemann got a -5 card which left his accumulated score at -8, temporarily putting him in sixth place in the tournament. Guillermo Pereira, meanwhile, recovered from a difficult start to finish the day with a total score of -4, which positions him, in the absence of all the participants at the finish, in 50th place. of the whiteboard.

Both nationals came from decent participation in the first contest of the PGA Tour playoffs, which allowed them to pass the cut on Friday to continue in the race on the weekend. Mito finished the day with a -2 card, while Talagan’s man did it with a three under par. The nationals proved themselves on the first two days and that’s why they were able to continue alive in an always complex tournament.

This Saturday, the first to go out on the course was Niemann, who started the course on the first hole accompanied by Canadian Mackenzie Hughes. Joaco didn’t come out of a good first lap, but on the second he recovered enough to keep fighting and take flight. And this Saturday, he took advantage of the emotional momentum to jump onto the Firestone Country Club field with more confidence.

The best national golfer in history got off to an error-free start. He tied until the fourth hole, where he scored his first birdie of the day. The first nine holes were positive for the national, as he managed to deliver another blow to the course, with another stroke under par. This time on the new flag.

Joaco’s work with his putt was outstanding, so it was essential for him not to lose focus to get a slice. His concentration had to be at its maximum to keep climbing positions and so it was. Because Niemann landed another under par on the 13th hole, then repeated it on the 14th and 16th, moving into the top ten. He started in 51st place and, thanks to an exceptional performance, climbed several places and even momentarily positioned himself in sixth place, with -5.

Pereira, meanwhile, also gave a good presentation. Even if it was not easy for him. His start was complicated from the start, with a double bogey on the third hole. And although he birdied the next hole, he was again forced to use a shot over par at flag five, leaving his card at +2. Recovery was going to be key and Mito showed all his quality to do so.

The last holes were joy for the national. Above all, from 10 to 13, where he signed four consecutive birdies, showing all his class and his talent. Although he stumbled on a bogey on the 14th hole, the level he showed on the final pass allowed him to improve his numbers and move up the ranks. He closed with -2, making a complex round.

This Sunday, the nationals will try to continue their ascent in the competition. Niemann has title chances and will surely fight until the end, looking to take full advantage of the level he displayed on Friday and Saturday. Aspiring to the crown is more difficult for Mito, who will fight for a better place in the standings anyway. Third positive round for the Chilean representatives at the PGA.