When he exited the rollercoaster ride of round three in the Charles Schwab Challenge, Chris Stroud had moved up eight places to a tie for 53rd and had to be lamenting not climbing much higher.

On a day when conditions at Colonial Country Club were tough, and few low scores were posted, Stroud shot one-over-par 71. But the real news in that was he managed to do it despite making six bogeys.

In a round that also included five birdies and seven pars, Stroud was never over par until the 18th hole. He made three bogeys in the final five holes — 14, 17, and 18 — to turn what could have a great round into an adequate one.

The Port Neches-Groves ex bagged three birdies against a lone bogey in the first six holes to build early momentum. Back-to-back bogeys at 9 and 10 blunted the mo, but he got back in red figures with birdies and 12 and 15 around a bogey at 14.

Stroud’s up-and-down day could be traced to hitting only six of 14 fairways. He’s found the short grass on only 24 of 42 driving holes, but that remarkably ranks 26th among the 73 players who were still playing Saturday.

Stroud’s iron play was so good at times that four of his five birdies were from inside eight feet and three were inside five feet. The fifth birdie – a holed bunker shot from 73 feet on the par 4, fifth — was his shot of the day.

Kevin Na, who shot 62 Friday to claim the lead, stayed on top by two shots after a 69 for 201. Tony Finau (71), Jim Furyk (68), Jordan Spieth (68), C.T. Pan (68) and Mackenzie Hughes (65) all trail by two strokes.