LIV Jeddah: Brooks Koepka shots bogey-free round to take three-stroke lead in Saudi Arabia

Brooks Koepka takes the lead in LIV Jeddah with a score of 12 under, ahead of Spaniard Sergio Garcia and Charles Howell III; Garcia’s Fireballs and Koepka’s Smash tied for second in team play

Brooks Koepka shot a bogey-free 64 on Saturday to take a three-shot lead heading into the final round of the LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

The defending champion made four birdies in a row on holes three through six, part of his eight in the round at the $25 million regular-season-ending event at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club.

He is 12 under, ahead of Spaniard Sergio Garcia, who followed Friday’s 68 with a 63, and Charles Howell III (64).

Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent shot a 62 behind seven birdies and an eagle to move into a tie for fourth with Bryson DeChambeau (63), four shots behind Koepka at eight under.

First-round leader Marc Leishman of Australia, who carded a 65 to take the lead Friday, responded with an over-par 70 and found himself tied for 21st at three under par.

Garcia said the weather and course were better Saturday than Friday.

“It was obviously a really good round,” he said. “The course conditions were a little more favorable than yesterday. Yesterday it was a lot windier. It was a lot trickier. A few more difficult pins yesterday, I guess.”

Garcia said the key to the round was back-to-back birdies on the final two holes, part of a strong finish.

“I finished with four birdies out of my last five,” he said. “Obviously there are moments here and there, but I also made some really good ups and downs on 11 and 12 to continue my round, and then because of that I birdied 13 and 14.

“I think I played well. I enjoyed my round a lot and I’m very happy with it.”

In team play, Garcia’s Fireballs and Koepka’s Smash are tied for second at 19 under, three shots behind DeChambeau’s Crushers.

Watch the Shriners Kids Open at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas on Sky Sports Golf from 10pm on Saturday.