Johnson is now top of the FedEx Cup points standings – the season-long PGA Tour ranking system – and will remain there should he secure his fourth title of the season in Atlanta.
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World No.1 Jason Day battled through back pain to be well placed in the chase for PGA Tour’s richest payday after the opening round at the Tour Championship.
Snedeker told the Atlanta Journal Constitution in advance of this year’s Tour Championship that weekly earnings typically show up in a golfer’s bank account via direct deposit shortly after 9 a.m. the day after each tournament’s final round.
Rory McIlroy, the only member of Europe’s Ryder Cup team to qualify for the Tour Championship, recovered from two double bogeys on the front nine to keep himself in contention with a two-under 68.
The Tour Championship is the only event on the PGA Tour that hands out two trophies, one to the tournament victor and the other to the FedExCup champion.
American Kevin Kisner and Hideki Matsuyama were four shots off the lead on three under par, with McIlroy, Paul Casey and Ryan Moore another stroke back.
If nothing else, Johnson all but eliminated anyone not among the top five trying to win the FedEx Cup.
“Today I drove it a little better and my iron game was back to normal and I’ve been putting very well”.
Scotland’s Russell Knox had the low round of the day, a four under par 66 vaulting him to one under par and a place just inside the top 10.
“I’ve still got to play the golf that needs to be played to try and beat these guys”.
The withdrawal means Dustin Johnson wins the points-based PGA player of the year. “I wish it was”, Johnson said.
“I just didn’t feel comfortable with my swing and sort of let that feed in to how I played, especially the first few holes. I’m never going to be upset with that”.
Scott is two over on his round through 16 holes to drop to one-over and into a tie for 12th in the now 29-man event. “And the golf course is so tough, I’ve got to worry about this golf course”.
McIlroy recovered from a awful start that included three bogeys on his first five holes.
He started the day ranked sixth in the FedExCup standings, and in with a chance of taking home the playoff prize with a victory – and some help from the top five players who can claim the big payday outright with a victory.
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The Australian picked up his ball in the rough, shook hands with fellow competitor Kim Si-woo and walked back to the clubhouse.
