World No. 1 Sits Just Four Back After Moving Day 64 at Charles Schwab Challenge

FORT WORTH, Texas — The leaderboard at Colonial Country Club set up perfectly for Sunday drama as Germany’s Matti Schmid and American Ben Griffin fought their way to a share of the 54-hole lead at the Charles Schwab Challenge.

Both players fired matching 2-under 68s on Saturday to reach 13-under 197, setting up what promises to be an intriguing final-round duel at the historic “Hogan’s Alley” layout. Meanwhile, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler positioned himself as the dangerous threat, sitting just four shots back after a brilliant 6-under 64.

“I’m a PGA Tour winner now, so that helps. Going into tomorrow very confident,” said Griffin, who captured his first PGA Tour title alongside Andrew Novak at last month’s Zurich Classic team event. “I feel like I’m in a really good spot. It seems like me and Matti are going to duel it out a little bit tomorrow, at least try to take advantage of our leads.”

Dramatic Back-Nine Battle

The co-leaders’ third round featured late-round drama that perfectly captured the ebb and flow of Colonial’s challenge. Schmid appeared to seize control when he drained a 7-foot birdie putt at the par-3 16th to take the solo lead.

But Griffin, who went over the green at 16, answered with a clutch par save from just beyond 7 feet to stay within striking distance. The momentum shifted again when Schmid found trees off the 17th tee and had to punch out, leading to a bogey that he minimized by sinking a 13-foot putt. Both players closed with pars to remain deadlocked.

Schmid, whose best PGA Tour finish is third (achieved three times), opened with three early birdies before the drama unfolded.

“A lot of things could happen, so I was just focused on my game trying to execute as good as I can,” Schmid said. “I’ve had a few close calls also on the European Tour. I also played some nice final rounds this year too, so hopefully I can just put one more up there tomorrow, and hopefully that’s enough.”

Scheffler’s Charge

While the co-leaders battled, Scheffler quietly moved into threatening position with his lowest round of the week. The defending PGA Championship winner rolled off five birdies in his first 10 holes and added an eagle at the par-5 11th before a few late stumbles.

“I made some sloppy bogeys on the back nine, but overall I did some good things,” Scheffler said. “I think I’ll have an outside chance. I’ll see if I can get out a little earlier than the leaders and post a number.”

Scheffler is chasing his third consecutive PGA Tour victory after wins at the PGA Championship and CJ Cup Byron Nelson.

Chasing Pack

Rickie Fowler sits alone in third at 9-under 201 after a solid 67, while Robert MacIntyre, Nick Hardy, and Akshay Bhatia share fourth place at 8-under 202.

Griffin arrives at Sunday’s finale riding momentum from his recent breakthrough and a career-best T8 finish at last week’s PGA Championship at Quail Hollow.

Scheffler will defend his title at next week’s Memorial Tournament, an event that Masters champion Rory McIlroy will skip for the second consecutive week. McIlroy is expected to return for a three-week stretch that includes next month’s U.S. Open at Oakmont.

The final round at Colonial promises excitement as two players seek breakthrough victories while the world’s best player remains just within striking distance.