Lee Hodges is aware of his mistakes.
Hodges thought back on the only other time he’d been in this situation shortly after shooting a third-round 66 to grab a five-shot lead at the 3M Open.
The previous time I went out, I thought I could just make a bunch of pars. That was completely incorrect.
Hodges’ only previous 54-hole lead came at the American Express in 2022. In the last round, he had a 70. Hudson Swafford won by two shots after shooting 64.
Although he only shared the lead in the American Express, the lead this week at TPC Twin Cities may be much larger, but Hodges is aware that a cautious game style will still produce the same outcome.
A bunch of past TOUR champions will be after him because he has yet to win that championship. He is playing with his close buddy J.T. Poston, who is 16 under par and four strokes back, in the last group.
If Hodges needs any more evidence, he only needs to glance one group in front of him on Sunday to see Tony Finau, who is six shots back. Finau overcame a five-shot deficit to win the 3M Open a year ago after 54-hole leader Scott Piercy played holes 8 through 14 in six over par.
It resulted in a straightforward conclusion.
I’ll have to keep making birdies, Hodges remarked.
So far, he’s doing a fantastic job at it. He is three more than any other player in the field with his 22 birdies. Additionally, Hodges shot five birdies and no bogeys to reach 20 under following a rocky front nine that featured two bogeys and two birdies.
That is within one of the tournament records 21 under and already lower than the previous three winning scores.
It won’t be simple, regardless of how large the lead becomes. Hodges couldn’t think of a time in his golf career when he had such a huge advantage. On the TOUR, that has only happened once this year when Collin Morikawa let Jon Rahm take a six-shot lead on the closing day of the Sentry Tournament of Champions.
It was shaky even for those who converted.
“I won the John Deere (Classic) last year. I spent several nights on the lead. It’s an uncomfortable sensation.” Poston said.
By Saturday night, Hodges, 28, had not yet felt any pressure before his Sunday tee time at 12:35 p.m.
“Nothing is lost on my end. I spend my own money when I’m outside. It’s wonderful to have a job for the PGA TOUR in 2019. This is merely the cherry on top.” Hodges who finished 76th last year as a rookie said.
Right now, that isn’t accurate. Hodges is now ranked 74th in the FedExCup standings, but a strong performance on Sunday, regardless of whether it results in a victory, will probably push him closer to the top 70 cutoffs needed to enter the Playoffs.
But as Hodges spoke, it could have passed for the truth. His words lacked any air of hope. He stood out as a professional still searching for his first TOUR victory because of his calm, self-assured demeanor. He appeared to have won innumerable times in the past.
“At the end of the day, there is only golf. I am fortunate to be here,” he said.
His playing rivals are hoping that Hodges’ defenses will show a few holes, allowing them to reenter the golf match. The majority of people in Hodges’ situation claim they are not nervous, but as play starts on Sunday afternoon, it becomes apparent.
Maybe Hodges will experience that. However, he won’t lose as he did in the past. He has come thus far because of his aggressive play. Fans should anticipate more of it on Sunday.
“Tomorrow, there will be a low round there. I hope it’s me,” he said.
