MYRTLE BEACH — Mark Hubbard birdied four of his final five holes for a 7-under 64 on Saturday for a one-shot lead in the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic.
Hubbard finished at 16-under 197 at Dunes Golf and Beach Club, one shot ahead of Aaron Rai, who played his final nine holes in 4 under and shot 66.
Eight players were within five shots of the lead entering the final round, including Brooks Koepka, who shot 64, and Presidents Cup captain Brandt Snedeker, who had a 67.
Hubbard, making his 274th PGA Tour start, said patience made the difference during his late surge.
“I felt like I had some of the best ball control I’ve had all season, maybe my whole career today, but I felt like I was kind of leaving a few out there in the middle of the round,” Hubbard said.
Hubbard’s best PGA Tour finish was runner-up at the Houston Open in 2019. His first PGA Tour victory would give him a berth in next week’s PGA Championship.
Koepka, back on the PGA Tour after playing LIV Golf, moved into contention after starting the day outside the top 20. He was tied for eighth, five shots back.
“If I can continue to do what I did today as far as ball-striking, which I feel like I’ve done over the past three months, it’s just a matter of getting that putter heated up,” Koepka said. “I feel like I’m striking it as good as I ever have, driving it as good as I ever have. If I can continue to do that, then I’m going to be very pleased where I’m at for a while.”
Kevin Roy shot 65 and was two shots behind Hubbard. Snedeker, Mac Meissner (64) and Beau Hossler (64) were among those tied at 13 under.
Blades Brown, the 18-year-old who graduated high school in January, shot 66 and was tied for 12th, seven shots behind.
Charleston’s Connor Doyal, who won a qualifier to get into the field, is at even-par 213 after a 71.
