Day: September 23, 2018

FedExCup update: Rose heads into final round as projected No. 1FedExCup update: Rose heads into final round as projected No. 1

September 23, 2018September 23, 2018| 1:32

ATLANTA — Each of the top five players in the FedExCup standings is guaranteed to win the FedExCup with a victory at this week’s TOUR Championship. In addition, there are certain scenarios for winning the FedExCup should someone outside the top five win the tournament. TOUR Championship leader Tiger Woods is Nos. 2 in the projected FedExCup standings. (He is currently credited with the 2,000 points that come with a victory). Here’s a look at how each top-5 players fared during Saturday’s third round at East Lake. 1. Bryson DeChambeau, 66, T21 (projected 3rd in FedExCup): After a couple of off-kilter rounds (71-75), the FedExCup leader found something with a third-round 66 that could have been even better had he not missed a 6 ½-foot birdie try on 18. DeChambeau hit 8/14 fairways, his most accurate performance off the tee so far this week, which led to the highlight of his round: After finding the short grass off the 17th tee, he hit his 100-yard approach shot into the hole for eagle. 2. Justin Rose, 68, T2 (projected 1st): It was a bogey-bogey start for Rose, but he came back with a birdie at the par-4 third hole, then birdied the fifth and sixth to serve notice that he wouldn’t be going away quietly. He and Rory McIlroy (66) are three behind Tiger Woods (65), but it’s Rose who in the driver’s seat for the FedExCup, which he stands to win as long as he doesn’t finish outside the top five in the TOUR Championship. After hitting 9/14 fairways Saturday, Rose is second in the field in driving accuracy. His Achilles’ heel in the third round: He was 28th (of 30) in Strokes Gained: Putting. 3. Tony Finau, 67, T6 (projected 4th): Finau, who is playing in his second TOUR Championship, hit just 5/14 fairways, which is usually the kiss of death at East Lake. Still, he kept his round together with the putter, figured out an alignment issue on the back nine, and came in with a 31 for a 3-under 67. He did his media obligations and then immediately went to the range after an off-day from tee to green that could have been much worse. “Putting-wise,â€� he said, “I had my A-plus game.â€� 4. Dustin Johnson, 67, T8 (projected 5th): Johnson birdied four of his last six holes Saturday and was solid in every facet: 8/14 fairways, 12/18 greens in regulation, 28 putts and well in positive numbers in Strokes Gained: Putting. His best round of an otherwise blah week, all in all not the finish he wanted after leading the FedExCup standings for much of this season. 5. Justin Thomas, 70, T8 (projected 6th): Still at 4-under for the tournament and going in the wrong direction in the standings in his bid to become the first FedExCup champion to successfully defend his title. He doubled the par-3 15th hole and had to birdie the last two for an even-par 70. Thomas could not practice full shots coming into the tournament due to a right wrist injury, which he suffered in the last round of the BMW Championship, and is in negative numbers in Strokes Gained: Putting. Here’s a look at the top 5 in the projected standings: 1. Justin Rose (2nd in FedExCup), 2,780 projected points 2. Tiger Woods (20th in FedExCup), 2,219 projected points 3. Bryson DeChambeau (1st in FedExCup), 2,160 projected points 4. Tony Finau, (3rd in FedExCup), 1,887 projected points 5. Dustin Johnson (4th in FedExCup), 1,576 projected points

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Tiger Woods takes three-shot lead at TOUR ChampionshipTiger Woods takes three-shot lead at TOUR Championship

September 23, 2018September 23, 2018| 0:37

ATLANTA – The fans were understandably beside themselves, but they were not the best measure of Tiger Woods’ red-hot start, 6-under for the first seven holes as he shot a third-round 65 to take a three-shot lead at the TOUR Championship at East Lake. No, his fellow players were the best measure. They couldn’t help but look away from their own games to see what all the commotion was about. “Unbelievable,â€� said Tony Finau (67, T6). “It really is. I was looking at the board and it said 6 under through seven; that’s incredible. I played a practice round with him Tuesday and, you know, his ball-striking ability is incredible and you know when he’s making some putts he’s going to make some noise.â€� Woods distanced himself from playing partner Justin Rose (68) and even Rory McIlroy, who was one of three players to shoot 66 and is tied with Rose at 9 under, three back. Kyle Stanley (67) and Jon Rahm (68) were tied for fourth at 6 under, six behind. “The crowds were electric because of it,â€� Rose said of Woods’ hot start. “He was running the tables there. He was hitting good shots and making the conversion putts.â€�  Somehow, Rose regrouped, refusing to let the pandemonium throw him off his game. Still, many others were left shaking their heads at Woods’ front-nine 30, which included a bogey at the brutally hard, 230-yard, par-3 9th hole. “He was 6 under through seven on, I think, the tougher (nine),â€� said Paul Casey (66, T6). “I tend not to pay much attention to what’s going on most of the time, but I’ll be honest, it’s been a while since we’ve seen that sort of display from Tiger, so it’s kind of cool to pay attention to it.â€� With each sonic boomlet that went up over East Lake, Casey and his caddie, John McLaren, looked at each other and smiled, trying to deduce just how low Woods was going. “We heard the roar when he was obviously on one,â€� Casey continued. “We’re like, ‘Oh, what’s he done there?’ Then another roar, and then he was 10 under and I was like, ‘Hang on, I’ve missed one somewhere.’ It was cool. I mean we all want to win, but when you’re bumbling around at 3- or 4-under-par and he’s now 10, now you’re a spectator, almost.â€� Woods had a much less exciting back nine, making one birdie and one bogey. Afterward, even he was left shaking his head at his turbo-charged front nine. “Yeah, I got off to a nice start there,â€� Woods said. “I made some nice putts. Good Lord. I left myself in good spots, too, so I was able to take a run at some of the putts. Other than No. 3, every putt was uphill, so it was nice. I felt like I could free-wheel it, and they went in.â€� Woods hit 10 of 14 fairways, a key stat at East Lake, and for the third straight day made over 100 feet of putts. He leads the field in Strokes Gained: Putting (+5.104). OBSERVATIONS MCILROY EYES BIG FINAL-ROUND PAIRING: The final twosome on the final day of the TOUR Championship at East Lake will offer a study in contrasts, although each man wears the same brand of clothing and each has won the TOUR Championship and the FedExCup. Tiger Woods is making everything, and is first in Strokes Gained: Putting (+5.104). Rory McIlroy is making nothing, and is 23rd in SG: Putting (-1.711). “I gave myself plenty of chances,â€� McIlroy said, “and I think the biggest thing today was only just that one bogey, and it was a silly bogey from the middle of the (seventh) fairway, as well. “Five birdies out there, one bogey, it’s playing tough,â€� he added. “Got to put your ball in the fairway, put yourself in position, and for the most part, I did that today.â€� McIlroy, who hit 8/14 fairways, hasn’t won since the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard early this season. Woods hasn’t won since the 2013 World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational, but he is 42 for 44 (95 percent) at closing out a victory when he has the outright 54-hole lead. “Look, he’s a notoriously great front-runner,â€� McIlroy said, “but if I go out and I play similar tomorrow like I did today, I’ll have no complaints.â€� NOTABLES JON RAHM – Missed a 10-footer for birdie on 18, but still has an outside chance after signing for his third straight 68 to get to 6 under, T4 with Kyle Stanley (67) six shots back. BROOKS KOEPKA – Chased a surprising second-round 78 with a 67. PHIL MICKELSON – Shot 76 and is in last, continuing to prove this isn’t the place to miss fairways. He’s at 42.86 percent driving accuracy for the week, and -1.959 Strokes Gained: Putting. DUSTIN JOHNSON – Three-time winner this season was as good as he’s been all week while posting 67 to get to 4-under total and T8. Birdied four of his last six holes. PATRICK REED – Masters champion’s struggles here continued with a 72 (+8 total). BRYSON DECHAMBEAU – FedExCup No. 1 and two-time Playoffs winner found some game as he hit 8/14 fairways, his best of the week, and holed out from the fairway for eagle at the 17th hole while shooting a 4-under 66. He’s still 2-over for the week, though. QUOTABLES He was running the tables.He’s a notoriously great front-runner.I’ve heard the roars all day … what an atmosphere. SUPERLATIVES Low round: 5-under 65 by Tiger Woods, his second of the week. Longest drive: 368 yards (Jason Day/No. 3) Longest putt: 77’ 1â€� (Keegan Bradley/No. 13 for birdie) Toughest hole: The 230-yard par-3 9th (3.300). Easiest hole: The 533-yard par-5 6th (4.167) had four eagles, 17 birdies and no bogeys. CALL OF THE DAY For play-by-play coverage of the final round of the TOUR Championship, listen at PGATOUR.COM. SHOT OF THE DAY

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Emergency 9: TOUR Championship, Round 3Emergency 9: TOUR Championship, Round 3

September 23, 2018September 23, 2018| 0:15

Here are nine tidbits from the third round of the TOUR Championship gamers can use tomorrow, this weekend or down the road. East Lake Golf Club just outside Atlanta plays 7,362 yards to Par-70. Know Thy Enemy These were the top-10 selected golfers in the PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf game presented by SERVPRO. I included all players who were owned by 20 percent or more. Front-Running The best front-runner in history will take a three-shot lead into the final round as his 12-under-par 198 leads Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy by three shots. Tiger Woods’ round of 65 was the best of the day and was keyed by birdies on six of his first seven holes. Leading by five with three holes to play Woods made bogey while Rose circled a birdie to trim the lead and keep it interesting on Sunday. This will be Woods’ 45th, 54-hole lead and his record is 42-2. Looking to pick up career win No. 80 he’ll need to continue to keep the tee ball in play (T3 fairways) and roll in putts (No. 1 in both putting metrics). Chasing European Ryder Cup teammates Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy will try and run down Woods this weekend and next at Le Golf National in Paris. Both have fantastic records at East Lake and both will be looking to lay down a marker for next week as well. McIlroy, for the first time ever, will be paired with Woods in the final round as he was the first to post nine-under. Rose, No. 1 in the world, had his chance on Saturday but was beaten by three. He’ll have the easier pairing with Kyle Stanley in the penultimate group. Case in Point Paul Casey has put himself in position to cash another top-five check at East Lake after 66 in Round 3. In his previous four trips his worst payday is T5. Last year he led by two after 54 holes but closed with 73. He won’t have to worry about winning the event this year! No. 1 – Bryson DeChambeau Dechambeau was one shot better than last place entering Round 3 but signed for a pair of eagles and his two birdies washed out two bogeys for 66. His problems this week have been finding GIR and getting up-and-down when he doesn’t. He rebounded nicely today, as did Brooks Koepka as he carded 67 beginning from the basement. Moving Day It seems like I reiterate this point three out of every four events but Dustin Johnson doesn’t have to have his best to find a result. His 67 moved him into the top 10 and he will have a real chance, with another decent round tomorrow, to bully his way into the top five. His last six final round totals on TOUR have all been in the 60’s. … He’s not going to be this year’s version of Xander Schauffele but Aaron Wise continues to prove his worth. He was one-over thru 11 before circling four birdies in his last seven holes to join Johnson on four-under. Moving Day: Wrong Way Patrick Cantlay hit it OB with his first swing of the day and it never improved. Opening with a triple he went out in 41 before coming home in even-par 35. With only one birdie on the card, he pushed with Phil Mickelson for the worst score of the day with 76. He’s T6 in GIR so I’ll let you guess what the problem has been this week! Fading Fowler Tied with Woods after 18 holes, Rickie Fowler has cooled off over the middle two rounds signing 72 and 73. He dropped nine more spots on Saturday as he only could find two birdies against five more bogeys. It didn’t help that he only hit five of 18 GIR and only seven fairways. Solo eighth in 2014 is his only top-10 result in four previous attempts. Study Hall Round 3 was the easiest of the week as the average score was 69.067 as 23 of the 30 placed rounds at par or lower. … 65 is the lowest round of the week but Woods is the only player to do it twice. … Cantlay’s triple was the only “other” of the day. … Sepp Straka has a one-shot lead heading into the final round of the Web.com Tour Championship.

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