Bermuda Round 3: Blanchet and Hirata share 36-hole lead at Port Royal

Co-leaders set the pace at 13 under

Moving day at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship opened Saturday, 24 October, with Chandler Blanchet and Japan’s Kensei Hirata locked in a tie for the lead at 13-under-par 129. Blanchet backed up his historic opening-round 62 with a composed 4-under 67 on Friday, carding five birdies against a single bogey in increasing ocean breezes. Hirata surged up the leaderboard with a flawless, bogey-free 7-under 64, highlighted by four consecutive birdies on the front nine.

The duo holds a slender advantage over a packed chasing group at Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton. The par-71 layout along the turquoise waters of the Atlantic underwent a 36-hole cut on Friday evening, trimming the 120-player field to the top 65 and ties. Contenders are battling for 500 FedExCup Fall points and a winner’s share of $1.08 million from the $6 million purse.

Conners and Silverman remain in contention

Canadian star Corey Conners, the highest-ranked golfer in the field at world No. 61, sits firmly within striking distance after rounds of 63 and 68. Fellow Canadian Ben Silverman shares fourth place, relying on pinpoint wedge play into Port Royal’s postage-stamp greens. With coastal gusts forecast to gust up to 25 miles per hour during Saturday’s afternoon wave, ball-striking control and patience will dictate who enters Sunday’s final round with a chance at the trophy.