Mito Pereira Holds One-Stroke Lead at Leaf Golf DC

STERLING, VA (AP) — Chilean Mito Pereira birdied five of his last seven holes on a 5-under 67 on Saturday, giving him a one-stroke lead over Harold Varner III at Leaf Golf DC.

Pereira finished with two birds at Trump National. He was as hot at the end of his tour as Farner was cold. Varner, the 18-hole leader, had two birdie bogeys on the back nine to move out of the lead by 72.

Henrik Stenson had a 67 and was two behind him, tied for third with Kevin Na (69).

Pereira signed with LIV Golf earlier this year and will have his first win in the Saudi-funded league. He has three Korn Ferry Tour wins and one PGA Tour Latinoamérica win in 2016. Pereira famously hit a double bogey on the final hole of last year’s PGA Championship at Southern Hills to lose a playoff by one stroke.

Brooks Koepka, after winning the PGA Championship at Oak Hill for his fifth major title, shot a 69 but fell six shots behind with one round to play.

Jason Kokrak withdrew and was replaced by Kieran Vincent of Zimbabwe, the younger brother of Scott Vincent and last month’s winner of the International Tour Asia Championship – Vietnam.

Phil Mickelson shot 75 and was 43 in a field of 48 players.

Pereira helped put Torque out for three shots.

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