Texas weather felt by PGA pros at Dean & DeLuca Invitational

Saturday’s weather conditions at the Dean & DeLuca Invitational climbed to numbers matching the ability of high handicappers.

The third-round temperature hit 96 degrees with a heat index of 108 at windy Colonial Country Club, according PGA Tour officials.

“It’s not good. I’m a dry heat kinda guy,” said Paul Casey, drawing laughter from the media. “God forbid what this place is like in the summertime. I mean Texas is just so extreme.”

Still, Casey managed a 2-under 68 on Saturday, and his 54-hole score of 203 has him in a tie for second place with Danny Lee.

“For me, it’s OK. For us, we’ve got plenty of water and I’m used to it,” Casey said. “All credit to the people coming out and watching it. I don’t know how they do it. How do they drink and watch golf in this kind of heat? But I’m glad they do.”

Jon Rahm, whose score of 205 has him four shots behind leader Webb Simpson, the gusty breezes were welcome.

“Well, the wind actually helps because it cools you down,” he said. “The heat, couple spots on the course makes it tough.

“There’s been some putts where you’re like standing on it and a couple sweat drops came down. I’m like, ‘Oh boy.’ That’s why I had to move back.”

Rahm shot even-par 70 Saturday — five birdies, five bogeys — and was thankful for the performance.

“Your hands get sweaty,” he said. “Just be patient and take a couple extra seconds to hit the ball and make sure you stay hydrated.

“If on 18 someone told me I was going to finish even par, I would be really happy with it. Great round. Still in position. Just positive thoughts for tomorrow.”

For Casey, who has 14 international victories but just one on the PGA Tour — the 2009 Shell Houston Open — a victory would be especially sweet.

“It’s pressure every week, still a stacked leaderboard,” Casey said. “A lot of very talented, brilliant guys near the top of it. I feel a pretty good calmness. Yeah, I’d desperately love to win and I will try my best tomorrow.

“Yeah, certainly feel like I’m one of the favorites. I don’t know, 17 years of doing this I’m certainly not soft, but there is more calm than there used to be.”

Rahm, from Spain, and Casey, from England, both played college golf at Arizona State. Although Rahm, 22, much more recently than Casey, 39.

“It shows if a guy is good at playing in the heat, and he was a Sun Devil as well, if he’s struggling with it and he’s young, you know it’s difficult,” Casey said.

This story was originally published May 27, 2017 at 7:02 PM with the headline "Texas weather felt by PGA pros at Dean & DeLuca Invitational."