Davis Riley was finishing a four-under 66 for a four-shot lead over surging world No.1 Scottie Scheffler at Colonial while PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan conducted interviews about the death of two-time tour winner Grayson Murray.
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Another week, another dose of unsettling news off the course, this time at the Charles Schwab Challenge.
Scheffler's arrest during the PGA Championship a week ago was triggered by an accident that killed a pedestrian. This death hit closer to home for the players, and Monahan quickly flew to Texas after getting word on Saturday that 30-year-old Murray had died.
Murray, who dealt with alcohol and mental health issues in the past, withdrew late in his second round at Colonial on Friday, and Monahan was told of his death a little less than 24 hours later.
So the Sunday question of whether Riley can hold off world No.1 Scheffler for his first solo victory is now mixed with how players might honour Murray just four months after he won the Sony Open in Hawaii
"It's not just about tomorrow," Monahan said. "It's about the weeks ahead, it's about the months ahead.
"There are a lot of people that are going to be carrying a heavy heart for a long period of time out on the PGA Tour, and there's a family that is obviously devastated that we need to support."
Riley was at 14-under 196.
Hometown favourite Scheffler shot 63 and was alone in second at 10 under, a shot clear of Pierceson Coody (69) and Hayden Buckley (69).
Australia's Min Woo Lee (68) was tied 11th, nine shots from the lead with Adam Scott (69) a shot further back and Cam Davis (69) at two under.
Scheffler has played his last 41 holes in 13 under since his first triple-bogey of the year in the first round, which was his second round over par (72) in the previous three coming off a streak of 41 rounds at par better.
The Masters champion has a new streak going, but once again found himself answering questions that had nothing to do with his round.
"Obviously, the news hasn't really sunk in quite yet, but I'm thinking about his family and praying hard for all of them," Scheffler said. "I got to know Grayson a bit better over the last six months. There's not really a way to put into words how sad and tragic it is."
Riley is seeking his first individual PGA Tour win and will play alongside Scheffler in the final round.
"Having a couple close calls in individual events, you draw back on stuff like that," Riley said.
"I've known Scottie for a long time and played a lot of junior golf with him, college golf, and he obviously is playing some really good golf right now.
"So he's going to come out swinging, but I'm looking forward to the challenge and it will be a fun day competing out there."
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