BUDAPEST – Three-time Olympic gold medalist Ryan Murphy got his program at the 2017 FINA World Championships underway with a trip to the podium as the world record holder in the 100-meter backstroke earned a bronze medal in the event on day three of competition in Budapest.
 
Murphy, who will also compete in the 200 backstroke as well as relays throughout the week, hit the water for the first time Monday with the preliminary and semifinal rounds. Ranked fourth after the prelims and second after the semis, the Ponte Vedra, Fla. native took the blocks in lane five for Tuesday's final.
 
After getting off the blocks second, Murphy made the turn after 50 meters in third position. He closed with the second-fastest back 50 of the race (27.13) and touched in a time of 52.59 seconds for a third-place finish. China's Jiayu Xu earned gold with a time of 52.44 and Murphy's Team USA teammate Matt Grevers placed second in 52.48.
 
Tuesday's result gives Murphy his first medal of the week and adds to a World Championships resume that already includes a 400 medley relay gold from the 2015 World Championships and a pair of medals (bronze in the 200 back and gold in the medley relay) at the 2012 FINA Short Course World Championships. He made his biggest international mark to date at the 2016 Rio Olympics, winning gold in both the 100 and 200 backstroke as well as swimming the leadoff leg of a 400 medley relay effort that not only won gold but saw Murphy set the world record with a 100 back time of 51.85.
 
Murphy wasn't the only Golden Bear in action Tuesday as Zheng Wen Quah took part in the prelims of the 200 butterfly and swam to a time of 1:56.76 for 18^th place. Wednesday action will include Nathan Adrian, who already owns a gold medal as part of the 400 free relay, in the 100 free as well as the potential for Adrian and/or Murphy competing in the 400 mixed medley relay.