American Brandt Snedeker charged into the multi-million-dollar hot seat after an impressive third round at the US PGA Tour Championship while Australia’s hopes died.
Snedeker, who entered the final event of the season-long FedEx Cup as one of five players who control their own destiny, shot a bogey-free six-under-par 64 to move to eight-under-par, tied for the lead with Englishman Justin Rose (68).
They have a two-shot buffer over Ryan Moore (65) at six-under and are three clear of world No.1 Rory McIlroy (68), Masters champion Bubba Watson (70) and veteran Jim Furyk (72).
Should Snedeker go on to win, he would pocket both the tournament trophy and the FedEx Cup, along with around $US11.4 million ($A10.97 million) worth of prize money.
“It was probably one of the best rounds I’ve played this year,” Snedeker said.
“I drove it fantastic. Hit a lot of quality iron shots, and putted actually okay.
“To hit 17, 18 greens, in this wind on the golf course, you’re striking your ball pretty good. I’m very excited about the standings going into tomorrow.”
Tiger Woods was close enough if good enough after a 67 had him four off the lead but Australia’s hopes all but vanished after Adam Scott and John Senden failed to charge.
Scott put himself into position to make a back-nine move but stalled coming home and seemingly played himself out of the tournament.
His even-par 70 left him at one-over-par for the week, a distant nine shots off the lead in a tie for 16th.
Despite offsetting birdies on the fourth and sixth holes with bogeys on the fifth and seventh, Scott posted back-to-back birdies at nine and 10 to be two-under on the round.
But poor shots from good positions had the Queenslander scrambling instead of accelerating.
“I had a couple more loose shots than usual and when you are two-under through 10 on this course you should be shooting four under, not even par,” Scott said.
“It’s not good enough.”
He bogeyed the 14th despite playing with a wedge from the fairway after a big drive and dropped another shot on the 16th when his tee shot flew off the planet to the right into trouble.
Senden also had a day to forget, shooting 73 to fall to three-over and a tie for 22nd.
In a week where he’s been statistically better than usual with his putter, Senden was left to rue a few costly three-putts.
He carded three bogeys and a double bogey with just two birdies.
“I just didn’t play great today. There were a few bad putting holes and I didn’t drive the ball well enough which made it a tough day,” Senden said.
“If you’re not coming off the fairways you’re battling out here.
“I didn’t feel 100 per cent with the swing so all I can do now is try to redeem myself tomorrow.”
