Day three digest: 2022 US PGA Championship

Everything you need to know from round three at Southern Hills Country Club.

Mito marched ahead, Fitz was in the fight, Tiger was in the wars and Kramer did something quite remarkable on day three of the 2022 US PGA Championship.

Here is everything you need to know from Saturday in Tulsa.

Pereira powers ahead

Mito Pereira will take a three-shot lead into the final round as he seeks a first Major title at Southern Hills. The Chilean is playing in just his second Major Championship but looked like an experienced campaigner as he recovered from four bogeys in five holes around the turn to post a 69 and get to nine under. Matt Fitzpatrick and Will Zalatoris are also seeking their first Major wins and will head into the final round as the nearest challengers after rounds of 67 and 73 respectively. "It's by far the biggest tournament I've played, the biggest round of golf, and tomorrow is going to be even bigger," said Pereira. "I'll just try to keep it simple, try to do the same things that I've been doing, try to not even look at the people that's around me."

Fitz hoping to seize his chance

Fitzpatrick was relishing being in "proper" contention to win a Major for the first time in his career. The Englishman has been a prolific winner on the DP World Tour ever since he came through the Qualifying School in 2014, claiming seven victories in as many completed seasons, including a Rolex Series win as he lifted the trophy at the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai for the second time in 2020. So it is perhaps a surprise he has registered just one top ten in 27 Major appearances and, while he looks likely to make that two in Tulsa, the 27-year-old is gunning for more than just a good finish. "I've spoke about it with my coaches at length about my Major record. I've always just said to them, I just want to give myself a chance, because I backed myself at the end of the day," he said. "I'm just looking forward to it more than anything. It's a chance to win."

What happens next?

This is Matt Fitzpatrick, we all know what happens next. Hole out for a birdie.

Tiger the warrior

In February last year, Tiger Woods suffered multiple leg injuries in a car accident and revealed he feared he could lose a limb. Just 15 months later he has made the cut in back-to-back Major Championships. There has been plenty of talk of ice baths and recovery after every round and Rory McIlroy - who played with Woods in rounds one and two here - said the 15-time Major champion was putting in a "monumental effort". Woods refused to blame his body after a disappointing 79 on Saturday but did admit he was "sore" before withdrawing after 54 holes. He may be Tiger but the man has the heart of a lion. We'll see you soon Big Cat.

Not all bogeys are equal

Making bogeys was a common occurrence in round three but there was nothing common about one produced by American Kramer Hickok. His approach to the 12th hole plugged in a greenside bunker and his first attempt to get out saw his ball hit the lip of the hazard and rebound on to his foot. The ball then finished in the deep footprint Hickok had created when taking his stance, meaning a second lash at the sand also failed to get the ball on to the green. The ball did at least fall back into a flat part of the bunker and Hickok admirably kept his composure to produce a superb fifth shot which landed on the putting surface and rolled inexorably into the hole. Never in doubt.