As he discussed his now guaranteed promotion to the PGA Tour next year earlier this week, Frankie Capan III kept referring to the final two events of this Korn Ferry Tour season.
Yes, exciting things on the horizon for the North Oaks’ native, but he was also looking forward to the work left to do on his current tour this year. And it’s shown in his play this week.
Capan fired a 5-under round of 66 in the third round of the Nationwide Children’s Championship on Saturday at Ohio State University Golf Club in Columbus to get to 12-under for the week and carry a one-shot lead into the final round.
He’s shot three rounds in the 60s this week. Saturday’s round featured four birdies, an eagle and just one bogey on a course where he told reporters you have to “play smart.”
“You really can’t force it around this place. I’m hitting some really good iron shots, which is nice,” he said. “Yeah, just try and take advantage anywhere you can. Was able to get a few putts to go and finished off with a couple birdies, which is nice.”
Unlike many Korn Ferry Tour events throughout the campaign, this one isn’t played on a course where you can go particularly low. It’s also a place where the likes of Scottie Scheffler and Justin Thomas have won in the past en route to sterling PGA Tour careers. Perhaps there’s correlation there?
“I would say this course is a PGA Tour-style course,” Capan said. “You know, it’s just a very solid golf course. You have to hit driver out here on most holes and hit really quality shots all around this place to score well. So I think you’re able to probably get away with some misses on some of the courses we play throughout the year. At a course like this I think it definitely is more of a PGA TOUR-style course.”
Capan clinched his spot in the top 30 of the season-long points list — which equals a spot on the top pro tour in men’s golf next year — just last week. He entered this week in 14th position on the list. A win this week would move him up to fourth. The higher a player finishes, the better positioned he is to earn starts on the PGA Tour next season. So every point matters.
Capan has had an excellent season on the Korn Ferry Tour to date. He’s notched three top-five finishes, including a pair of runner-up showings. One thing he has yet to earn in two years on this tour is a victory.
That could change Sunday.
“Yeah, it’s really important for me (to get a win). Obviously I would like to knock off a W before I move on up next year,” Capan said. “Really just trying to take advantage of the moment. Been playing some nice golf, so just looking forward to tomorrow.”
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