Scottie Scheffler shoots 66, seeks third straight Phoenix Open title

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Scottie Scheffler moved into contention to win a third straight Phoenix Open on Sunday, overcoming a huge error on the 18th hole to shoot a 5-under 66 in the weather-delayed third round.

Scheffler was at 13 under, 2 shots behind Sahith Theegala and Nick Taylor as the players battle to avoid a Monday finish amid a second straight week of weather problems on the PGA Tour.

Scheffler is aiming to become the first player to complete a hat-trick at a PGA Tour event since Steve Stricker won the John Deere Classic from 2009-2011.

Taylor, the overnight leader, saved par at No. 18 after being forced to fold and shot 68. Theegala matched Taylor's 2-putt birdie on the short par-4 17 to tie for the lead and shot 69.

Charley Hoffman made four straight birdies to close with a 64 and was tied with Andrew Novak at 14 under.

A week after the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am was shut down, the weather once again wreaked havoc at TPC Scottsdale.

A lengthy weather delay pushed the first round to Friday, and the tournament has been trying to catch up ever since. Another gust delayed play Saturday morning and frost pushed back tee times for three straight days, including more than an hour on Sunday.

The final round was already underway as the leaders completed the third rounds of this marathon of a golf tournament that was spiraling out of control with the fans on Saturday. The overcrowding and noisy atmosphere began to irritate several players, leading to heated fan interactions from Zach Johnson and Tom Hoge.

Scheffler started the morning 5 shots back at 8 under and quickly climbed the leaderboard when his third round resumed, making five straight birdies starting at No. 9 to find himself tied at three at 13 under.

The No. 18's putting blunder left the world No. 1 with an extra shot to make up in the final round.