Round 3: Waste Management Phoenix Open

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Will Spencer Levin be difficult to catch on Sunday?

By Fred Albers, PGATOUR.COM Correspondent

Divine Levin: The most critical shot of the day came at the 341-yard par-4 17th hole. Spencer Levin had to wait 10 minutes watching the group in front of him hit two balls in the water and take two time-consuming drops. His fellow competitor, Harrison Frazar, grew tired of waiting and hit his drive — also into the water. Despite growing anxious to play, Levin stuck to his game plan, waited for the green to clear and then hit driver. It came out hot and would have chased over the green into the water, but it drifted just far enough to the right to run into a greenside bunker. Not just into a bunker but with a perfect uphill lie. Levin took advantage of that combination of good luck and patience on his part to convert birdie and finish with a six stroke lead.

Sing-A-Long With Bubba: The golf boys tried to get the crowd at the 16th to sing their “hit” song in unison. Bubba Waston and Ben Crane attempted to get 30,000 to chime “Ooda Lolli Lolli.” It was a marginal success but it’s hard to get 30,000 to sing in unison. Crane also had the best prop of the day at the 16th wearing the helmet and goggles he sports in his videos.

Hot Start: We might be able to tell a lot about the final round on Sunday after the first three holes. Spencer Levin has played those three holes in 5-under in the first three rounds. If he combines that kind of hot start with his six-shot lead, Levin will be difficult to catch.

Super What: In post-round interviews players are frequently asked for a Super Bowl prediction. Jarrod Lyle wanted more information before making his pick asking, “Who’s playing in the game?” The Aussie is apparently not a big fan of the NFL. When told it’s the Patriots and Giants , he picked the Patriots for no apparent reason. Follow his wagering advice at your own risk.

Fred Albers is a course reporter for SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio and is inside the ropes this week at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. For more information on SiriusXM PGA TOUR Radio, click here.