Sam Saunders inspired, Charley Hoffman charges ahead at Glen Abbey

OAKVILLE, Ontario – News and observations from the third round of the RBC Canadian Open where Charley Hoffman leads by one over Kevin Chappell. 17 golfers are within five shots of the lead heading into Sunday’s finale at Glen Abbey Golf Club. For more on what unfolded Saturday, click here for the Daily Wrap-Up. Saunders inspired by Arnold Palmer In 1955, Arnold Palmer won his first professional event at the Weston Golf and Country Club, about 25 miles from Glen Abbey Golf Club. On Sunday, his grandson, Sam Saunders, will try for his first PGA TOUR win, and he’s got a strong chance to convert on what will be, coincidently, his 30th birthday. He sits 14-under par through three rounds, and is just three shots back of the lead, sitting in a tie for fourth. Saunders was the benefactor of Brandt Snedeker withdrawing due to injury earlier this week. He was disappointed to see him as fifth alternate as first, but he got in, and it was time to go to work. “It’s a full field, a full (FedExCup) points event, which I need to play in right now. I was really pleased to see that I got in,â€� he explained. “It was normal preparation outside of that. I had a flight booked, and it’s been a fairly normal week.â€� Saunders admitted if he were to win his first TOUR event in Canada, it would be ‘incredible,’ especially on a day at the RBC Canadian Open that is being dedicated to his grandfather. “Just for the simple fact that it would be my first PGA TOUR win, and then you through all that on top of it… it would be amazing,â€� he said. “But there’s no magic. It’s up to me. No one is going to help me except for me.â€� And as far as what he thinks Palmer would tell him if he were still alive? “He would tell me to just go play,â€� said Saunders. “Get it done.â€� Garrigus ties course record On a day that felt like a casual Saturday morning round with a friend, Robert Garrigus tied the course record at Glen Abbey, a 10-under-par 62, to climb into a tie for third at the RBC Canadian Open. Garrigus was paired with James Hahn Saturday (who shot his own 5-under-par 67 but said he got ‘waxed’) and the two friends, who play a lot of golf together in Arizona, were feeding off one another all day. Garrigus, who got disqualified at the John Deere Classic a few weeks ago for signing an incorrect scorecard but notched his first top-10 of the year last week at the Barbasol Championship, used that as motivation. And at 131st on the FedExCup standings, he knows every week is important. “It’s been in the back of my mind ever since I got my TOUR card last year. You want to keep your job. This game is so hard and we work really hard and we fight, we practice and we work out. It’s one of those things where you’re constantly searching for something good, and I found it today,â€� said Garrigus. “I’m going to try and build on that tomorrow, so I’m really excited.â€� The 39-year-old chipped in three times Saturday on his front nine, en route to a 6-under-par 29. He also made eagle on the par-5 16th after stuffing his approach to just three feet. But he said he didn’t have an eye on the course record as his day unfolded. “Everything was working. Even when I missed a shot, I chipped it in… It was a great day, one to remember,â€� he explained. “But I also have one more round to go. So going to stick this one in the memory bank and wipe it clean and go out tomorrow and see what happens.â€� Call of the Day Hoffman thinking about Presidents Cup Although Charley Hoffman will head into Sunday with a one-shot lead, he admitted he’s got the Presidents Cup on his mind, too. At 16th on the Presidents Cup standings, Hoffman needs a big week to make a move and he’s in position to do just that. “I know I’m going to have to play myself on (to the team). I’m going to have to play good and get a win. It’s something I want to do before my career is done,â€� said Hoffman. “I’m going to earn it and I’m going to try, and if I don’t, you’ll know I went down swinging.â€� Hoffman has five top-5 finishes on TOUR so far this year, but hasn’t cracked the winner’s circle this season. He won the 2016 Valero Texas Open for his fourth TOUR win. He made just one bogey during a 7-under-par 65 Saturday, on the par-4 17th, after three-putting. But, it was still a day with more positives than negatives. “I got off to a little slower start than I wanted to. Obviously wanted to get a birdie early in the round but wasn’t able to. Middle of my round got some birdies and hit some great iron shots. You know what, all in all, just hit good shots and good positions to make putts on the greens,â€� said Hoffman. “I was able to capitalize and make a lot of birdies.â€� Hoffman will be Sunday’s final pairing with Kevin Chappell, who sits at 16-under par through three rounds and is also playing with the Presidents Cup on his mind, as he sits 11th on the standings. A win would lock up a spot for Chappell, who won earlier this year at the Valero Texas Open. Canadians struggle in round three It wasn’t the day either Mackenzie Hughes or Graham DeLaet had in mind when they teed it up to rambunctious Canadian crowds early Saturday, as both Hughes and DeLaet lost ground in the third round. Hughes shot matching 37’s to shoot a 2-over-par 74 and now sits tied for 55th. DeLaet, meanwhile, shot a 1-over-par 73, and sits tied for 41st. In all likelihood, the curse of Canadians not being able to win the RBC Canadian Open on home soil will continue for another year. “Frustrated. Disappointed. Those are the words that come to mind right away,â€� Hughes said of his round. “It sucks to play poorly anywhere you play but especially here where I want to do well so badly. But that’s golf and it happens, and you know, go out there tomorrow and try to shoot a low one.â€� DeLaet echoed his countryman’s statement on how disappointed he was to play poorly in front of the Canadian crowds. “You want to play well here. Maybe I was trying a little bit too hard,â€� admitted DeLaet. “It was still fun. The crowds were awesome and I’ve still got tomorrow.â€� Poulter impressed by fans Paired with Canadian Graham DeLaet, Ian Poulter admitted he was surprised at how excited the fans were for him on Saturday. “I’ve had a great reception since I’ve been here. They seem to like me, and what I’ve done in the Ryder Cup for some reason,â€� said Poulter with a laugh. “I like coming to Canada, I’ve only been a few times but each time I’ve had a great time.â€� Poulter said he was happy to be able to play with DeLaet, although DeLaet didn’t have the kind of day Poulter did. The Englishman fired a 4-under-par 68 and sits tied for 15th. “The crowds are a little smaller than The Open Championship, even though I played with homeboy Graham. But I was quite happy going out playing with him. It’s good to have the crowd there. It’s good to obviously play in front of a decent group of people. It was fun,â€� said Poulter. “My first Canadian Open, I’m happy… I’m enjoying it. It’s been a good week.â€� Poulter sits 77th on the FedExCup points standings and has made his last six cuts in a row, including the RBC Canadian Open. His best finish of the year was a tie for second at THE PLAYERS Championship in May. He admitted there were a few shots he ‘left behind’ on Saturday, including not making birdies on No’s 16 and 18, the two par fives coming in, but he said he’s looking forward to another opportunity to go low Sunday.   Shot of the Day Best of Social Media

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