US PGA champion Justin Thomas and Australia’s Marc Leishman share the lead after day three of the Dell Technologies Championship, where a show of petulance proved costly for Sergio Garcia.
Garcia slammed his putter into a sprinkler head after badly misjudging an eagle attempt on the short par-four fourth at TPC Boston, altering the loft and lie of the club.
Under Rule 4-3b, Garcia was not allowed to use it again for the rest of the round, although the Masters champion did at least hole his birdie putt from 13 feet with a fairway wood.
But after using either his driver or a long iron on the greens on the remaining 14 holes, Garcia struggled to a four-over-par 75 which ended in miserable fashion when a dreaded shank led to a double-bogey seven on the last.
It is not the first time this season Garcia has caused himself problems by losing his temper, the world No.7 injuring his shoulder after lashing out at a gorse bush on the fourth hole at Royal Birkdale during this year’s Open Championship.
At two over par, Garcia was 14 shots behind Thomas and Leishman, who shot superb rounds of 63 and 65 respectively despite the wet and windy conditions.
Thomas became the youngest player to shoot 59 on the PGA Tour on his way to winning back-to-back events in Hawaii in January, while he set a tournament record for lowest score with a nine-under 63 in the third round of the US Open at Erin Hills.
“You can’t really compare them, they are so, so different rounds, but in terms of ball-striking and control of my game that was up there with the best I’ve had all year,” said Thomas.
“I drove it better than I have probably any round this year, hit some great irons, I was putting well – it was overall a great day.”
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