Plenty of Hunter Swanson’s “over 600” rounds at Green Valley Ranch Golf Club have been with fellow Coloradan Davis Bryant.

Swanson and Bryant grew up in Colorado and were both part of the First Tee program at the Denver course. The two players are four years apart but played several rounds with each other at their home course.

Now, Swanson looks to follow in Bryant’s footsteps at the Inspirato Colorado Open.

During the third round on Saturday, the former CU Buff star fired a 4-under 67 to sit just two shots behind leaders Zander Winston and Carson Lundell. Swanson is on a bogey-free streak of 51 holes as his last bogey was the third hole on Thursday.

“Davis has been a super helpful guide for me growing up,” Swanson said. “I mean we used to play out here all the time as kids, too. I’ve known Davis forever.”

Bryant won the Inspirato Colorado Open in 2024 and turned it into a successful career on the DP World Tour. The 26-year-old is not in this week’s field as he is taking a break before getting back on tour.

But he was in the crowd at Green Valley Ranch.

“It feels really good,” Bryant told The Denver Gazette about watching Swanson. “Obviously he (Swanson) had a really good day today and he’s got a chance to win the tournament tomorrow.”

The 22-year-old Swanson played solid golf during a warm and windy day when temperatures once again pushed 100 degrees. He made four birdies, including one on the par-3 17th that was played in a swirling wind during the afternoon.

He sits in a tie for third at 13 under with Keanu Akina and Tommy Kuhl. Going into Sunday’s final round, 18 players are within five shots of the lead, which is 15 under held by Winston and Lundell.

“Coming into the week, all I was worried about was keeping things light, keep it fun and really make sure I enjoy my pro debut no matter what happens,” Swanson said. “I don’t really look to change much of that going into tomorrow.”

Bryant, who is 21st in the Race to Dubai on the DP World Tour and ranked 163rd in the Official World Golf Ranking, said it was “light and fun” when he and Swanson played during their junior golf days. Playing with Swanson made him a better player, Bryant feels.

“It makes you a better player when you’re playing with guys that are better than you. It was just enjoyable,” he said. “We haven’t done it in a while just because we went to two different colleges. But he’s a great kid.”

After making his pro debut this week, Swanson is looking at following Bryant’s footsteps in another way. The Northfield High School graduate will head to DP World Tour Q-School in September. Bryant qualified in 2024 and is now in his second season on the DP World Tour.

“Davis has always been there for me, guiding me and helping me out with what tournaments to play,” Swanson said. “It’s great to see all his accomplishments out on the DP World Tour already. It’s super inspiring and I think there’s a little bit of that kind of sparked the idea.”

Bryant believes his win in 2024 helped him to some of the success he is having in professional golf.

“Being able to win the tournament in 2024 opened a lot of opportunities for me,” Bryant said. “It allowed me the chance to pursue opportunities like Q-School for DP and now I’m having a really good year.”

Swanson will be part of the second-to-last group on Sunday. He will tee off at 9:09 a.m. on No. 1 with Tommy Kuhl and Patrick Cover. Swanson is looking to be the third straight champ from Colorado after Bryant in 2024 and Jim Knous in 2025.

Colorado golf has been having a moment this year as Bryant’s been good overseas and Wyndham Clark won this year’s U.S. Open and reasserted himself as one of the better players in the world.

“Anyone that loves Colorado golf is inspired by what he’s doing,” Bryant said. “ … I’d take that right now.”