Jason Dufner wins playoff in CareerBuilder Challenge

Jason Dufner moved one step closer to a fourth PGA Tour victory with a sizzling back nine to grab a two-shot lead after the third round of the CareerBuilder Challenge in La Quinta, California, Saturday. “So, yeah, it was up and down, I definitely left a few shots out there”, said Lahiri of his second round in his first event on the PGA Tour in 2016.

Dufner won on the next hole, when Lingmerth’s approach from 184 yards went off the rocks and into water, and he made par with a 5-foot putt.

After hitting his tee shot into the rocks surrounding an island green, luckily evading water, he somehow managed to find a decent lie and produced a superb chip shot which hit the flag and nearly went in, instead tapping in for an unlikely par. Somehow Dufner was able to not only get a club on the ball but hit the pin with the pitch shot to set up an unlikely par.

Dufner finished with a 2-under 70 to tie Lingmerth at 25-under 263. The Stadium Course had a stroke average of 71.029 in flawless scoring conditions the first two days, almost two shots higher than the Nicklaus and La Quinta layouts. “I feel like I’m doing some really good stuff”. “You kind of hit that low little spinning one with some check on it”. The native Idyllwilder has now posted 68-65-68 – 201 and is currently tied for 10th place, eight shots behind the leader. “I got a great break”.

Canadian Adam Hadwin and birthday boy Jamie Lovemark had their chances throughout the early portion of the round, but both slid with dropped shots and finished at 20-under 268 in a tie for sixth along with Luke List.

Mickelson, playing for the first time since the Presidents Cup in September, said he was encouraged by his progress with changes to his game.

Lahiri who shot a bogey free 64 on first day and then 68 on second day, is 11-under through 54 holes in a tournament, which has turned out to be a birdie-fest of sorts. I’m excited to keep playing well.

“I’m probably a week away, if I’m being honest, ” Mickelson said Friday. I got off to a good start and then lost my concentration around the turn.

Lingmerth looked unflappable through 19 holes Sunday, but his second shot on the second playoff hole careened to the left and found the lake that runs all along the left side of the hole.

Following his round, Mickelson joined PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem and various dignitaries in honoring wounded heroes and military families at a military appreciation ceremony on the 18th green of the TPC Stadium Course as part of the tournament’s Patriot Day.

Dufner said after the round.