2022 Genesis Invitational leaderboard, scores: Niemann holds Round 3 lead with Young, Hovland in pursuit

Joaquín Niemann has been stellar, but a crowded pack could still make things interesting on Sunday

After 54 holes of the 2022 Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club, the closing narrative is set, and it's the same as it's been the last two days: Everybody will be chasing Joaquin Niemann.

The leader shot a 3-under 68 on Saturday in the easiest scoring day at Riviera since 1984 to set the 54-hole scoring record (-19) at this tournament, and it didn't even feel like he played that well. After touching 21 under following an eagle at the 10th hole, it seemed as if the tournament was a wrap, but he played the next eight in 2 over and might have let a few golfers back in it.

Here's a look at what Niemann has done, what he's trying to accomplish and who can spoil his party on Sunday afternoon.

The Leader

Joaquin Niemann (-19): The best recent facsimile we have for what Niemann has done at this event is actually what Jon Rahm did at the 2021 Memorial Tournament when he destroyed the field through three rounds but had to withdraw because of a positive COVID-19 test. Through three rounds in that immense field, Rahm gained 21 strokes, which Niemann nearly matched through his first 46 holes at mighty Riviera before falling off the pace. Still, he's gained nearly 17 strokes through three rounds, the lion's share of them from tee to green.

At 23, Niemann is still a young potential star, and this would be the crown jewel in his résumé. His other top performances include near misses at the Tournament of Champions and BMW Championship, as well as a win at Greenbrier. To add Riviera in a major championship-like field in his 98th PGA Tour start as a pro would be monumental. It would also be historic.

The Chasers

Cameron Young (-16): How do you feel if you go out and nearly tie the 54-hole scoring record at Riviera, and you're still three back of the lead? Well, if you're Cameron Young, you can either choose to despair, or you can choose to remember that they don't hand out trophies for 54-hole leads. Young is still very much in the mix here, and he held on Saturday to give himself a shot at what would be the biggest victory of his golf career by a couple of standard deviations. He'll need to be sharper from tee to green on Sunday, especially if the course gets dialed up a bit. He lost strokes there in Round 3, mostly because he twice left shots in bunkers (No. 1 and No. 16). He rebounded fine to shoot 69, but he'll need to be nearly perfect in the finale to hold a trophy.

Viktor Hovland (-13): After going out in 30, Hovland cruised home for a round-of-the-day 65 that at least gave him a chance on Sunday. He did it all with a putter that was fairly cold. If you're looking for trends, there are few better places to find them. Hovland has finished first in three of his last six starts worldwide, the last one coming at the Dubai Desert Classic, where he started the day six back of the lead.

Justin Thomas (-12): J.T. could have made even more ground on Saturday, though he closed nicely with birdie-birdie on No. 17 and No. 18. He's one of just two players in the current top 17 who didn't shoot 2 under or better on Saturday (scoring average was -1.7). But he's also one of the few that's still actually in it going into the final 18 holes. His approach play on Saturday was abysmal, but there aren't many guys in the world who can get hotter than him. It's easy to envision a 64 on Sunday for the win and the end to what has been a bit of a frustrating start to 2022 for him as it relates to cashing in great play with big wins.

Collin Morikawa (-11): Morikawa was the quietest of this group on Saturday. He made birdie at the last to shoot 68, which was barely better than field average. After starting bogey-bogey (and losing nearly three strokes to the field), he didn't make another bogey the rest of the way and finished birdie-birdie to set up what could be another awesome Sunday. In his five non-stableford scoring wins, his scoring average on Sunday is 66.2. Could be some foreshadowing. He should also pray for some crispier conditions than what players got on Saturday in Round 3.

Max Homa, Scottie Scheffler, Marc Leishman, Maverick McNealy (-10): Even this is probably too deep. Homa going back to back would be one of the cooler stories of the year on the PGA Tour, but it's so rare to come from nine back after 54 holes, even more so to do it having leaped two major winners and Hovland.

[Feb 19, 2022 at 6:54 pm ET · Kyle Porter]

As Jim Nantz noted on the broadcast, today was the lowest-scoring round in the history of this tournament. Not what I was promised to start the week!

[Feb 19, 2022 at 6:42 pm ET · Kyle Porter]

Niemann pars No. 17, and the door is opening just a little bit. He's still -19 and four up on the field, but Cameron Young and JT both pick one up. If either gets another on 18, we could have a bit of a ballgame going into Sunday.

[Feb 19, 2022 at 6:21 pm ET · Kyle Porter]

Niemann's lead is ridiculous right now. He has a chance to be seven clear of everybody except for one person going into the final round. Here's how things stand with about two holes to go on the day.

Niemann: -19
Young: -15
Hovland: -13
Homa: -11
JT: -10

[Feb 19, 2022 at 5:52 pm ET · Kyle Porter]

Hovland and JT make back to back bogeys on the second nine, and it's starting to look more and more like Niemann and Young will be fighting for this trophy on Sunday.

[Feb 19, 2022 at 5:42 pm ET · Kyle Porter]

Unbelievable how much better Tiger looks.

[Feb 19, 2022 at 5:39 pm ET · Kyle Porter]

Tiger refuses to give up a date for his return to professional golf. Jim Nantz tried to pin him down about 100 different ways, and the Cat wouldn't give it up.

[Feb 19, 2022 at 5:31 pm ET · Kyle Porter]

Tiger: "I can hit balls. The hard part is actually walking. That's going to take some time."

[Feb 19, 2022 at 5:14 pm ET · Kyle Porter]

Joaquin Niemann has gained 18 strokes on the field this week. Max Homa, who is in sixth place, has gained nine, which implies that Niemann has been twice as good as the sixth-best player in this field.

[Feb 19, 2022 at 5:01 pm ET · Kyle Porter]

Tiger Woods should be joining the broadcast soon. I'll drop some of his quotes in here.