Scottie Scheffler Fires Course-Record 61 to Take Four-Shot Lead at Honda Classic Third Round

Scottie Scheffler delivered one of the finest rounds of his already stellar career on Saturday afternoon at PGA National, firing a bogey-free course-record 9-under-par 61 to take a commanding four-shot lead heading into the final round of the Honda Classic. The world number one was absolutely flawless throughout the notoriously difficult Champion Course, making nine birdies while demonstrating the kind of complete golf game that has made him the sports most dominant player over the past two seasons.

Schefflers round began modestly with pars on the opening three holes, but he quickly found his rhythm with birdies on the fourth and sixth holes that showcased his improved iron play. The 29-year-old Texan was particularly impressive with his approach shots throughout the afternoon, consistently finding the heart of greens despite the swirling winds that have made scoring difficult for the field all week. His precision with wedges from 100 yards and in was especially noteworthy, as he converted several makeable birdie opportunities that lesser players might have missed.

The turning point of the round came at the par-5 third hole on his back nine, where Scheffler reached the green in two shots before rolling in a 30-foot eagle putt that sent the gallery into raptures and opened up significant daylight between himself and the chasing pack. His celebration was notably emotional, recognizing both the quality of the shot and the momentum it provided for the remainder of his round. The eagle moved him to 7-under for the day and demonstrated the aggressive style that has become his trademark.

Scheffler closed his round in spectacular fashion with consecutive birdies on the 16th and 17th holes, using his superior course management skills to attack pins that other players were avoiding due to the challenging conditions. His approach shot to the 17th, a perfectly struck 8-iron to eight feet, exemplified the precision that has made him nearly unbeatable when his game is firing on all cylinders. The birdie putt was never in doubt, rolling directly into the center of the cup with authority.

The course-record 61 represents more than just an excellent round of golf; it demonstrates Schefflers continued evolution as a complete player who can dominate even the most challenging venues. His previous best round at PGA National was a 66, making Saturdays performance even more impressive given the courses reputation for humbling even the best players in the world. The round also extends his remarkable streak of consistent excellence that has seen him finish in the top 10 in each of his last twelve PGA Tour starts.

With a four-shot lead and the kind of momentum that championship rounds provide, Scheffler appears well-positioned to claim his third victory of the young 2026 season while extending his lead atop the FedEx Cup standings. His nearest competitors, including Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland, will need to produce something special on Sunday to challenge the world number one, who has proven virtually unbeatable when holding 54-hole leads. As Scheffler signed his scorecard to officially claim the course record, the golf world was reminded that they are witnessing one of the games all-time great players at the absolute peak of his considerable powers.