Ben James builds four-shot lead to close in on first PGA Tour title

LOS CABOS, Mexico (AP) — Ben James made the most of another 36-hole lead with birdies on his opening three holes that propelled him to a 6-under 66 and a four-shot lead Saturday in the World Wide Technology Championship as he closes in on his first PGA Tour title.

James, the No. 1 player in the PGA Tour University rankings last year, started with a one-shot lead and quickly left everyone behind at the Tiger Woods-designed El Cardonal at Diamante.

He finished with a superb pitch to two feet for birdie on the par-5 18th to reach 21-under 195, four shots ahead of Ryan Gerard (65).

James, who turned pro out of Virginia in June, had the 36-hole lead in his first start as a pro at the RBC Canadian Open. But he stumbled badly to a 78 and finished out of the top 50.

Not this time. He dropped only one shot on the front nine. His closing stretch included a shot that caught the ridge perfectly on the 15th and rolled down to two feet.

“I hit a little cut 5 (-iron) in there, which was a little risky but we knew with wind off the right and a draw it had a better chance of rolling left, and it’s not so good over there,” James said. “Just hit a really well-executed shot that just got maybe a good break but I thought it was just a great shot.”

James already has a full card for next year through his top PGA Tour University ranking. A victory would put him on the upper Championship Series when the tour’s new model starts in 2028, and it should be enough to move him into the top 50 in the world.

Sudarshan Yellamaraju of Mississauga, Ont., is in a five-way tie for 22nd at 11 under. Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, B.C., and Ben Silverman of Thornhill, Ont., are in a 10-way tie for 27th at 10 under, and Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., is in a three-way tie for 65th at 5 under.

Gerard played bogey-free for his 65, missing a six-foot birdie putt on the final hole. He is the highest-ranked player in the field at No. 23 in the world and decided to play this week in Baja California instead of going to Abu Dhabi at No. 70 in the Race to Dubai, avoiding travel to the Middle East.

He switched putters mid-tournament — he carries two putters with him — going from a mallet style to a blade, mostly because of previous success on Paspalum grass.

“Just rolled it pretty nicely all day,” Gerard said. “Feel good about the pace. I just need a couple of them to go in tomorrow and to keep hitting the centre of the face and we’ll be fine.”

Chris Kirk (65) and Denny McCarthy (67) were five shots behind, while Alvaro Ortiz of Mexico (66) was in the group six shots behind. Ortiz earned a PGA Tour card for next year by finishing among the top 20 on the Korn Ferry Tour points list.

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The Associated Press