McNealy, Whaley share lead at wide open RSM Classic, Canada’s Hughes third

Maverick McNealy steadied himself after a rough start Saturday with a 4-under 66 to catch Vince Whaley in a wild third round at the RSM Classic in which half a dozen players had at least a share of the lead.

McNealy looked like he might have the lead when he hit a wedge on the final hole that rolled just short of the cup and settled 8 feet away. He missed the putt, still in good position to go for his first PGA Tour victory.

Whaley, also winless on tour, birdied the 18th for a 63 and will play in the final group for the first time on the PGA Tour. McNealy, who joined him at 14-under 198, also shared the 54-hole lead in 2021 at the season opener in Napa, California.

There are plenty of options in the final round. Daniel Berger shot a 63 and played his way into the final group, just two shots behind. He was tied with former Sea Island winner Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., (65), Michael Thorbjornsen (67) and Patrick Fishburn (69).

Hughes made five birdies on the day.

Whaley played with a sense of freedom that not everyone has at the final PGA Tour event of the year. He played on a medical extension and met the necessary points in July. The next step was to finish in the top 125 in the FedEx Cup. He secured that last week with a tie for fifth in the Bermuda Championship.

Everything else feels like a bonus, and there could be no greater advantage than a win to get into the Masters and PGA Championship, along with a two-year exemption.

“I really have nothing to lose and everything to gain, so I’m just excited for the opportunity,” Whaley said.

SEE | Hughes makes his move:

2016 RSM Classic champion Mackenzie Hughes tied for 3rd heading into the final round

Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont., carded five birdies on the back-9 to sit at 12-under overall, two shots behind the leaders, after the third round of The RSM Classic at St. Simons Island, Ga.

Canada’s Hadwin falls 23 places

Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, BC, (71) dropped 23 spots to a tie for 47th at 3 under. Adam Svensson of Surrey, BC, (70) was 1 under.

Berger and Thorbjørnsen were among those who arrived at Sea Island outside the top 125, the number required to retain full status on tour next year. Thorbjørnsen has already secured that as no. 1 player in the PGA Tour University rankings.

Berger needed a big week and he’s delivering, although he says he doesn’t feel stressed. Berger missed 19 months with a back injury that he feared could end his career. Now he is healthy enough to have played 27 times this year.

“Whenever I play well, I want to feel good,” said Berger, who played in the 2021 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits. “When you miss that much time, it takes a little while to come back. It’s just a matter of being patient and eventually good things will come.”

Henrik Norlander and Hayden Springer, who were also on the wrong side of no. 125, each shot 63 and were among those tied for 12th, a ranking that would currently move them into the top 125.

Joel Dahmen, who had to make a 5-foot par putt Friday to make the cut, shot 70 and tied for 61st. He is no. 124, and his future depends on a big round Sunday, along with how Thorbjørnsen, Berger, Norlander and Springer fare.

Closer to the top, eight players were separated by three shots. That includes Luke Clanton, Florida State sophomore and No. 1 amateur in the world, who already has three top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour and was going for another.