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The Muñoz plan: Movies from the ’80s, scores in the 60s

Sebastian Muñoz on the 17th fairway during the third round of The Greenbrier Classic golf tournament at The Old White TPC.

 

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. — Sebastian Muñoz has turned off his cell phone and rewound to an era when there were none, watching movies like “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “Rain Man” to distract himself from what could be a breakthrough tournament on the PGA Tour.

“I’m keeping it ’80s this week,” said the Greenbrier Classic’s leader before heading off for more movie-watching Saturday night. “I might do ‘Top Gun.’”

Muñoz has been on top throughout all three rounds, becoming an unlikely candidate to lead wire-to-wire. At 14-under, he enjoys a two-shot margin on Robert Streb, with Xander Schauffele and Jamie Lovemark trailing by three.

Davis Love III and Russell Henley highlight a trio at 10-under that could be dangerous Sunday.

MORE: Greenbrier Classic leaderboard

Streb famously cracked his putter here in 2015, before using a wedge to drop four birdies on the back nine and reach a four-man playoff that Danny Lee won.

Streb, on his way to a 5-under 65, delivered Saturday’s best shot: A 231-yard approach shot from the No. 12 rough that set up an eagle tap-in.

“The lie ended up being pretty good, so I thought I could just get a hybrid on it, hopefully get it up there somewhere, chip-in, and give myself chance at 4,” he said. “Obviously it panned out way better than that.”

Yet Muñoz stayed ahead by birdying the 13th with a 25-foot putt and the 15th with a 35-footer.

“You know, we managed to save the day,” the 24-year-old Colombian said.

Through 11 events this season the rookie had earned $121,620 to rank 235th on the PGA money list, and not once had he started an tournament with three rounds below par.

But a new approach at the Greenbrier — meeting up with his best friend and disconnecting from social media — has served Muñoz well.

“I’ve had my phone off since Thursday, and we’re going to keep it that way,” he said. “Life is good. Still (shooting) in the 60s. I’m kind of liking it.”

Muñoz’s third-round 68 wasn’t so spectacular as Thursday’s 61, yet plenty solid compared to Hudson Stafford (72) and Ben Martin (75), who started Saturday tied for second place.

Another steady round on the Old White TCP could earn Munoz the $1.27 million winner’s share.

“I feel like I’m pretty calmed down out there,” he said. “I don’t know what you guys watch on the TV, but I feel like I’m pretty calmed down, steady, and ready to hit the next shot.