Dustin Johnson moved a step closer to claiming the FedEx Cup title after extending his Tour Championship lead to five strokes.
World No. 1 Johnson carded a 6-under-par 64 in the third round to seize control at the FedEx Cup playoff finale on Sunday.
FedEx Cup leader Johnson, who is yet to claim the PGA Tour's championship trophy, started his penultimate round with a one-shot lead. By the end of the day, Johnson – a runner-up in two of his last three starts and a winner in the other event, The Northern Trust — surged clear thanks to seven birdies and just one bogey at East Lake in Atlanta.
In complete control.@DJohnsonPGA leads by FIVE. pic.twitter.com/xMg6dWmokw
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 6, 2020
After a flawless front nine featuring three birdies, Johnson gained four more strokes following the turn, including the last to be 19 under through 54 holes. He bogeyed the 11th.
Johnson's nearest rivals are last year's Tour Championship runner-up and 2017 winner Xander Schauffele, and 2017 FedEx Cup champion Justin Thomas.
Schauffele posted a third-round 67 while fellow American Thomas had an eagle, five birdies and three bogeys for a 4-under-par 66.
Leading the field in SG: Putting this week.@XSchauffele moves into solo second with a birdie on 12.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) September 6, 2020
He's 3 back. pic.twitter.com/STvxhJ12bE
World No. 2 and BMW Championship winner Jon Rahm — second to Johnson in the FedEx Cup race — is outright fourth after shooting a 66 to be 13 under. Collin Morikawa is a stroke further back.
Daniel Berger (64) and Im Sung-jae (72) are tied for sixth, ahead of Scottie Scheffler (66).
Reigning FedEx Cup champion and Tour Championship holder Rory McIlroy is 11 shots off the pace heading into the final round.
McIlroy, who recently became a father, lost further ground following his second consecutive round in the 70s – an even-par 70, which included three bogeys and as many birdies.