Matt Fitzpatrick shot a 6-under 65 Saturday to reach 19 under and take a five-shot lead after three rounds of the French Open. Tom Vaillant, second after a 67, will join him in the final group. Fitzpatrick is chasing a fourth title this year.
Fitzpatrick birdied the first, third and sixth holes, dropped only one shot and finished with an up-and-down at the 18th. He said a good final round could make him difficult to catch, while noting there was still a long way to go.
Eugenio Chacarra shot 62 and was among five players tied for third. Defending champion Michael Kim was seven shots back after a 70 that included a double bogey on the final hole. Fitzpatrick’s three earlier wins this year came at the Valspar Championship, RBC Heritage and Zurich Classic of New Orleans, where he teamed with his brother Alex.
