HONOLULU - Davis Riley emerged from a crowded leaderboard on Saturday with a masterful closing stretch, birdieing four of his final seven holes to take a two-shot lead into the final round of the 2026 Sony Open in Hawaii.

The 29-year-old American's three-under-par 67 was the best score among the leaders on a challenging afternoon at Waialae Country Club, where gusty Hawaiian winds tested the 120-player field throughout the third round. Riley now sits at 12-under par, two strokes clear of the pack with 18 holes remaining in the PGA Tour's season-opening full-field event.

England's Harry Hall fired one of the day's best rounds, a four-under 66 that vaulted him into a share of second place at 10-under alongside fellow Americans Chris Gotterup and Kevin Roy. Hall's surge came courtesy of precise iron play and clutch putting down the stretch, positioning him as a serious Sunday contender.

Defending champion Nick Taylor saw his bid for back-to-back titles suffer a setback with a disappointing two-over 72 that included four bogeys. The Canadian, who captured his fifth PGA Tour title in dramatic playoff fashion at Waialae last year, slipped to tied-fifth at nine-under par but remains within striking distance of the lead.

The best rounds of the day belonged to Corey Conners and Hideki Matsuyama, two of the tour's premier ball-strikers. Both players navigated the difficult conditions superbly, posting matching five-under 65s to climb into contention. Their performances demonstrated why course management and consistent contact are paramount at the historic Waialae layout.

Three-time major champion Jordan Spieth continued his steady week with a third consecutive round of 68, keeping him in the hunt for at least a top-10 finish as he looks to build momentum early in the new season.

Riley, currently ranked 101st in the world, has shown remarkable composure at his first PGA Tour event of 2026. After opening with rounds of 65 and 67, his Saturday performance under pressure suggests he is ready to contend for what would be a career-defining victory.

The tournament features a $9.1 million purse, with the winner taking home over $1.6 million along with valuable FedExCup points. Nine players sit within three shots of Riley's lead, while 19 are within five strokes, setting up a compelling final round.

Riley expressed confidence following his third round, stating his goal for Sunday would be to replicate his strong back-nine performance that carried him to the top of the leaderboard.

The final round tees off Sunday at Waialae Country Club, with the leaders beginning their rounds in the afternoon. Golf Channel will broadcast the conclusion from 7-10 p.m. ET, while ESPN+ will provide featured group coverage starting at 12:15 p.m. ET.

With favorable conditions forecast and so many players in contention, the first PGA Tour winner of 2026 will need to produce something special on Sunday at one of the tour's most beloved venues.