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Rookie Davis Riley leads at Valspar Championship

Davis Riley tracks the ball after playing his tee shot on the 17th hole
Davis Riley tracks the ball after playing his tee shot on the 17th hole

PGA Tour rookie Davis Riley shot a blazing 62 on Saturday to vault to the top of the leaderboard at the Valspar Championship in Florida.

Davis sits at 18 under par and holds a two-shot lead over Matthew NeSmith, who shot 69 one day after matching the Valspar single-round mark record with a 61 on Friday.

Davis carded nine birdies en route to a bogey-free round at the Innisbrook Resort's Copperhead Course to set a new 54-hole scoring record for the event.

Justin Thomas, on the back of a third consecutive 66, and defending champion Sam Burns (67) sit three shots back at 15 under.

Ireland's Shane Lowry carded a second consecutive 68 and is 10 shots off the lead.

Riley had never held a tournament lead after any round until Saturday, and his round was three stokes better than his previous career best of 65 at the Sony Open in January.

"I struggled a little bit with my approach play. I wasn't as clean as I would like to the first two days, but thankfully the putter was there," Riley said afterward.

"And that's what I've been telling myself is just give myself a look. I feel really comfortable with the putter on these greens and if you just get me on the greens, I have a chance."

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