Early-week alternate Dylan Wu making magic at The American Specific

Wu knew that magic this week might go a great distance, and he entered Saturday’s third spherical in a tie for 59th, squarely on the minimize line.

Propelled by a run of six consecutive birdies on the again 9 Saturday, Wu moved inside six strokes of co-leaders Jon Rahm and Davis Thompson into Sunday. He’ll have an outdoor probability at a title and, not unimportantly, an excellent probability at accruing an excellent chunk of FedExCup factors to enhance his standing for the remainder of the yr.

Wu is aware of Saturday might be a fork-in-the-road second in his profession, and its significance isn’t misplaced. Sunday might be, as effectively.

“I assumed I wouldn’t get into (the Sony Open in) Hawaii or The American Specific,” Wu stated after Saturday’s third spherical within the Coachella Valley. “And there’s no Monday qualifier. I ended up moving into Hawaii, missed the minimize by one … in order that was irritating, for positive.

“It’s a must to benefit from these alternatives and be OK with (the truth that) you could be first alternate come Thursday and any person withdraws and also you get in. In order that’s the truth till you play higher and get out of that class … As we speak, this week, it simply exhibits that the work I’m placing in within the offseason is slowly serving to.”

After shifting to 11-under by way of 16 holes Saturday, ideas of 59 crept into Wu’s thoughts. He two-putted for par on the par-3 eighth, that means he would wish eagle on the 461-yard, par-4 finisher to attain golf’s magic quantity.

Adrenaline kicked in, and Wu’s tee shot discovered water left of the green. He didn’t suppose he might attain it. He rapidly recovered with a wedge to eight ft after which drained the curling par putt, punctuated by a fist pump. It’s his profession low on the PGA TOUR, and many to construct on.

Wu was greeted off the ultimate inexperienced by fellow TOUR professional Justin Decrease, his teammate eventually yr’s Zurich Basic of New Orleans; the duo completed T10.

“I informed different individuals, certainly one of my objectives this yr is to have a later tee time on Sunday,” Wu stated. “Getting top-10, being within the combine, is one thing any golfer needs. It’s been some time since I’ve performed that. I do know I’m able to it. Simply must carry on working arduous … I do know there are a whole lot of birdies to be made.”

With 11 birdies on Saturday, he definitely proved that.