Sweden’s Henrik Stenson fired a one-under par 69 on Saturday to keep a four-stroke lead after the third round of the season-ending $ 8 million US PGA Tour Championship.
If Stenson can keep his lead over the final 18 holes at East Lake on Sunday, he will claim the $ 10 million bonus for winning the tour’s playoff title, the FedEx Cup, as well as the tournament’s $ 1.44 million top prize.
But with a chance to stretch his lead over the rest of the 30-man field on a rainy day, Stenson stumbled at the finish, making bogeys on three of the final five holes, including a four-foot par putt miss at the 18th, that left him on 11-under 199 after 54 holes.
American Dustin Johnson was second on 203 after a third-round 67 with US veteran Steve Stricker third on 205 after shooting 68.
England’s Justin Rose, the reigning US Open champion, shared fourth on 206 with Americans Zach Johnson, Billy Horschel and Jordan Spieth. England’s Luke Donald and American Nick Watney were another stroke adrift.
Stenson and Zach Johnson were the only two of five players in the title fight who can win the playoff title by winning the tournament.
World number one Tiger Woods, the playoff points leader, fired a 69 to stay 26th on 213, one stroke behind US compatriot Matt Kuchar, who was also in the top five in points.
“I didn’t hit it very good today,” Woods said. “I hit everything to the right or I flipped it left, but I putted better.
“The goal is to go out and shoot a good round tomorrow and see where the chips fall.”
Australian Adam Scott, the reigning Masters champion, stumbled to a 74 to stand on 210 after starting the day with fever and chills and receiving IV fluids to treat his flu symptoms.
Stenson birdied the second and third holes and added two more at the seventh and ninth holes, stretching his edge over the field at one stage to nine strokes.
But the Swede began the back nine with a bogey, added another at 14 and followed a birdie at the par-5 15th with bogeys at 16 and 18.
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