James sits at 21 under par, within reach of first career win; Gerard second, Kirk and McCarthy tied third

Ben James of the United States tees off on the fourth hole during the third round of the PGA Tour's Worldwide Technology Championship at El Cardonal at Diamante in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, on Sunday (Korean Standard Time). [Getty Images]
Ben James of the United States tees off on the fourth hole during the third round of the PGA Tour's Worldwide Technology Championship at El Cardonal at Diamante in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, on Sunday (Korean Standard Time). [Getty Images]

PGA Tour rookie Ben James of the United States is on the verge of his first career victory at the Worldwide Technology Championship, which carries a $6 million purse.

James fired a 6-under-par 66 on Sunday (Korean Standard Time) in the third round at El Cardonal at Diamante in Los Cabos, Mexico, making seven birdies against one bogey. His 54-hole total of 21-under 195 puts him four strokes clear of second-place Ryan Gerard of the United States, who is at 17-under 199, as James retained sole possession of the lead for the second consecutive round.

James graduated from the University of Virginia this past summer and turned professional, having reached No. 1 in the PGA Tour University rankings to secure his card for the 2027 season. A victory this week would also earn him a spot in the PGA Tour's new championship series set to launch in 2028.

James set the tone early, reeling off three consecutive birdies starting at the first hole. He added another at the sixth but made his only bogey of the tournament at the eighth. He steadied himself on the back nine, picking up birdies at the 13th, 15th and 18th holes to cement his lead.

James had also held the lead through two rounds at his professional debut, the RBC Canadian Open in June, before a third-round 78 sent him tumbling outside the top 50. This time he has carried his lead into the final round, moving one step closer to a first career win.

World No. 23 Gerard posted a bogey-free 65, making seven birdies, and will enter the final round as the highest-ranked player in the field with a chance to overturn the deficit.

Chris Kirk of the United States, a six-time PGA Tour winner, shot a 7-under round to move to 16-under 200 and share third place with Denny McCarthy, who also carded a 5-under 67.


yjc@heraldcorp.com