Scottie Scheffler on the brink of PGA Tour history as he shares five-way tie for the lead at Houston Open in pursuit of third STRAIGHT title win – with World No 1 looking ominous with The Masters on the horizon

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is among five players tied for the lead after Saturday’s third round of the Texas Children’s Houston Open.

Scheffler shot a 4-under 66 at Memorial Park Golf Course for a 9-under 201 heading into Sunday’s final round.

He is accompanied at the top of the classification by the Englishman David Skinns, who scored a bogey-free 65 in his debut in the event, the German Stephan Jaeger (66), the Argentine Alejandro Tosti (68) and the Belgian Thomas Detry (67).

Defending champion Tony Finau, who led after two rounds, shot a 2-over 72 on Saturday to tie for ninth at 7 under.

He had tied the tournament scoring record for the second time with an 8-under 62 on Friday.

Scheffler is one of five leading the standings in Texas at nine under par.

Scheffler made eight birdies in an adventurous round marred by two bogeys and a double bogey on the par-3 15th when his tee shot landed in the water and he received a one-stroke penalty.

Still, Scheffler’s 66 was the FedExCup leader’s 31st consecutive round of par or better, dating back to an even-par 70 in the final round of the 2023 Tour Championship.

Scheffler, the number one player in the world, is coming off wins at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Players Championship. The last player to achieve such a feat was LIV’s Dustin Johnson in 2017.

“Winning the last two doesn’t help me do anything tomorrow,” Scheffler said.

‘I think it’s going to be another pretty challenging day with strong winds. Stick to my process and control what I can control out there.’

Five co-leaders after 54 holes is the most in a PGA Tour event since six players shared the lead after the third round of the 2009 Texas Children’s Houston Open (Paul Casey, Fred Couples, Colt Knost, Ryan Moore, Geoff Ogilvy, Bo Van Piel).