| -1 H Matsuyama (Jpn), D Johnson (US); +1 J Niemann (Chi), M Hughes (Can), A Scott (Aus); +2 J Rahm (Spa), S Munoz (Col), K Kisner (US), B Watson (US), B Todd (US), R McIlroy (NI) |
| Selected others: +3 M Fitzpatrick (Eng); +4 T Hatton (Eng); +6 P Casey (Eng); +8 J Thomas (US); +10 T Woods (US) |
World number one Dustin Johnson shares the lead going into the final round of the BMW Championship in Illinois.
The 36-year-old American, who won last week’s Northern Trust event with a 30-under total, was one behind overnight.
He carded a one-under 69 to lead by two with Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama – who also shot 69 – and they are the only players under par at Olympia Fields.
Joint overnight leader Rory McIlroy is three strokes back in a share of sixth after five bogeys in a 73.
Another former world number one, Jon Rahm, is also two over after five birdies in the joint-best round of the day, a 66.
That four-under round on the tough North course at the Chicago club included a one-shot penalty for picking up his ball without having marked it.
“I was thinking of somebody else or something else – I just picked up the ball without marking it, simple as that,” Rahm said.
“I can’t really give an explanation. It’s one of those things that happen – never thought it would in my professional career, but here we are.”
Former Masters champion Adam Scott of Australia is in a group of three at one over along with Joaquin Niemann of Chile and Canada’s Mackenzie Hughes.
Johnson, winner of 22 PGA Tour titles, has held the 54-hole lead or co-lead in each of his last three starts.
The top-70 players in the points table are taking part in this week’s event, but only the top 30 will qualify for the season-ending Tour Championship at East Lake in Atlanta starting next week.
Tiger Woods, needing a top-five finish to advance to next week’s finale, is 10 over in a tie for 55th after a 72.
