Cole chases – Eric Cole heads into the final round of the Charles Schwab Challenge with a one-shot lead after shooting a 7-under 63 on Saturday. The $9.9 million event at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, features a $1.782 million winner’s check and a crowded lead
Eric Cole didn’t just post a strong Saturday at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. He stamped his name near the top of the Charles Schwab Challenge leaderboard with a tournament-best 7-under 63 that moved him into the lead heading into Sunday’s final round.
Cole goes into the last day at 12-under overall, holding a one-shot advantage. Ryan Gerard sits one behind at 11-under, while J.J. Spaun and Mac Meissner are two strokes back at 10-under, setting up a final-round charge where every mistake could reshuffle the order.
The stakes are clear. The tournament has a total purse of $9.9 million, with the winner earning $1.782 million. For players chasing their first PGA Tour win, that kind of payoff turns one round into a career-defining moment.
Cole’s Saturday wasn’t only about positioning. At 37 years old, he has 18 top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour, but still doesn’t have that elusive breakthrough victory. Now he has a rare setup: a final round led by a player with experience, but with a win still waiting.
“It’s not going to be an easy day tomorrow. I know that from my experience. ” Cole said at the conclusion of Saturday’s round. “I know that it’s going to be difficult. but that’s why I practice really hard and that’s why I try and do everything the way I do so that I could be as prepared for whatever tomorrow brings.”.
His lead also comes with a sense of urgency for everyone behind him. The margin is tight enough that a solid opening stretch—plus one wayward swing less than the field—could decide whether Cole finally breaks through or gets pulled into a crowded finish.
After Saturday, the board offers no easy path to catch up: Cole’s tournament-best 63 created the gap, and the numbers stay compact behind him—Gerard at one back, and Spaun and Meissner two shots off the pace—meaning the pressure won’t fade as the day progresses.
The final round will be broadcast on the Golf Channel and CBS. For viewers who want to follow live action, the Charles Schwab Challenge final-round coverage is set for television, alongside additional streaming and radio options listed in the event’s schedule.
Charles Schwab Challenge Colonial Country Club Eric Cole PGA Tour final round leaderboard prize money $1.782 million Golf Channel CBS Ryan Gerard J.J. Spaun Mac Meissner Fort Worth Texas
So does he win $1.782 million if he just holds the lead? Weirdly specific.
I don’t get golf, they’re all like 1 shot away but somehow it’s a whole drama. One bad swing and he’s done?? Seems kinda rigged honestly.
Eric Cole is 37 and still hasn’t won, that’s crazy. Thought PGA Tour wins were like automatic once you get on TV. Also the article says “Cole chases first PGA Tour win” but then keeps saying Eric Cole like that’s two different people lol.
Fort Worth every time. I swear these tournaments are just rich people playing while the rest of us can’t even get a tee time. Anyway 7-under 63 sounds made up, like how is that even real? CBS better show it instead of commercials.