McCarty leads by two in second start on PGA Tour

Khel Today Bureau

IVINS, Utah: Moving from the Korn Ferry to the PGA Tour, Matt McCarty making only his second PGA Tour start, took a two-stroke lead into the final round after shooting a 7-under 64 at the inaugural Black Desert Championship.

McCarty had a 19-under 194 total at Black Desert Resort in the TOUR’s first event in Utah in over 60 years.

A three-time winner this season on the Korn Ferry Tour, he earned an instant promotion to the PGA TOUR. On a breezy day which was low scoring the 26-year-old McCarty played a five-hole stretch on the front nine in 6-under — highlighted by an eagle chip-in on the par-5 seventh.

On the back nine, McCarty drove the green and two-putted for birdie on the short par-4 14th. He hit a wedge to 6 inches on the par-4 16th, then two-putted the par-5 18th for another birdie on a long day.

Jaeger shot a 68 to drop two strokes back with Joe Highsmith (62), Kevin Streelman (63) and Harris English (66). Jaeger already has one victory this year, capturing his first PGA TOUR title in the Texas Children’s Houston Open in a duel over Scottie Scheffler.

He is one of two players — Chris Kirk, who was tied for 36th at 9-under after a 70, is the other — who finished in the top 50 in the FedExCup Playoffs and are assured of all the $20 million Signature Events next year.

Harry Hall was 15-under after a 64. Kurt Kitayama (64) was 14-under with Chad Ramey (64) and Beau Hossler (66).