World number two Dustin Johnson, making his case for PGA Player of the Year, birdied four of the last five holes on Saturday to seize a three-stroke lead after the third round of the BMW Championship.
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Reigning US Open champion Johnson sank a 17-foot birdie putt at the 18th hole to complete a four-under par 68 and stand on 18-under 198 for 54 holes at the 7,516-yard Crooked Stick layout in suburban Indianapolis.
Casey was runner-up in his second straight FedEx Cup playoff event, losing to Rory McIlroy a week ago.
Moments after Casey converted an eagle at the par-five 15th to get to 20 under and within one of the lead, Johnson coaxed in a three from a similar distance to maintain his advantage.
Victorian pair Marc Leishman (67) and Aaron Baddeley (76) finished 68 and 69 respectively on the FedEx Cup standing to miss out on the top-30 advancing to the Tour Championship.
Roberto Castro, tied with Johnson going into the third round, didn’t make a birdie in his round of 74.
“So, if he keeps doing what he’s been doing – what he averaging, six under a day? – if does the same tomorrow, there’s no catching him”. I want to see guys play well and they’re all my buddies. Johnson topped it with an 18-footer for eagle to maintain the lead.
He was two over for the day and three under for the tournament – well adrift of leader Dustin Johnson – when he brought his participation to a premature close. The top 30 golfers in the standings will compete for the Tour Championship (Sept. 22-25) at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. He won’t receive any FedEx Cup points, but is virtually assured of remaining in the top 5 headed to the Tour Championship, and able to control his own destiny with a victory.
“But I got a chance, and golf on Sunday in fun when you have a chance”.
He took a tiny misstep with back-to-back bogeys on holes No. 2 and 3, allowing Casey to momentarily tie him with back-to-back birdies.
The third round already was scheduled to start late because of morning storms in the forecast, which pounded Crooked Stick and delayed that time by 1ﾽ hours. As we all know, that can change in golf in the blink of an eye, and I’m sure Spieth is aiming to peak at East Lake and the Ryder Cup. “It was nice to make a birdie on four … and then hit some really nice wedge shots after the first few holes”.
All that was left to settle were the little dramas that pop up in the race to make that 30-player field in Atlanta.
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The 10-time PGA tour victor and defending champion at the event has a history of back issues, withdrawing from the BMW Championship in 2014 with a similar complaint. He played the par 5s in 15 under for the week. A simulcast of the entire day’s action is available at PGA Tour live here.
