Scottie Scheffler moved one step closer to his first FedEx Cup victory after extending his lead to five shots heading into the final round of the Tour Championship.
The Masters champion shot 65 and 66 over the first two days to take a four-shot lead into the weekend at East Lake, and the American recovered from a slow start in the third round to extend his advantage over nearest challenger Collin Morikawa.
Scheffler had an early bogey that cut his lead to two shots, but he made two straight birdies starting on the seventh hole and four more in the final five holes to finish with a five-under 66, at 26 under, to boost his hopes of winning his seventh PGA Tour title this season.
Scheffler heads into the Tour Championship as FedEx Cup leader for third straight season
On the final day, he will be paired again with Morikawa, who made three birdies in his final four matches to salvage a 67 in the third round, while Sasith Tigala finished with five birdies to move into third place at 17 under, ahead of Xander Schauffele.
How Scheffler continues his march toward FedEx Cup glory
Scheffler bogeyed the par-4 first hole for the second time in three days, but Morikawa closed the gap to within three shots after holed out from seven feet for par. The world No. 1 missed the green on the next hole and had to make par.
Collin Morikawa will team up with Scottie Scheffler for the third round on the final day
Morikawa made an eight-foot birdie on the par-5 sixth hole to briefly cut Scheffler's lead to two shots, and his partner missed a chance from a similar distance, allowing Scheffler to restore his overnight lead by two shots on the next hole.
Scheffler rolled in from 15 feet for birdie, while Morikawa squandered his four-foot putt for par, and both players approached for birdie on the next hole and par on the ninth to stay within four shots.
The final pair exchanged pars in the first half of the back nine before Scheffler made a 20-foot birdie on the par-5 14th to go five shots ahead and Morikawa three-putted from long range for par.
Morikawa closed with a tee shot and birdied the next par-3, while Scheffler completed a tricky two-putt at the 16th, rolling in from 20 feet to jump to 24 under.
On the par-4 17th hole, Scheffler took advantage of a tree near the tee box and hit a 10-foot birdie, followed by Morikawa, who widened the gap with the other players. Both players fought hard on the last hole and ended the game with the same birdie.
“It’s going to be very tough, but I believe I can do it,” Morikawa said. “Five shots is a lot, but two shots happen. I think I’ve seen it a few times in the last few days. I have to play to my level. I have to shoot low. There are 18 holes left in the season — I’m going to give it my all in the next 24 hours.”
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Robert McIntyre nearly hits a hole-in-one at the 15th hole of the Tour Championship, only to damage the hole
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Speaking about his expectations for the FedEx Cup, Scheffler Tell Sky Sports: “I have a chance to win some matches here and tomorrow is my best chance. I've been in the best mental shape this year and I'm looking forward to getting more of that tomorrow.”
Schauffele's quest for a FedEx Cup title was quickly derailed when he bogeyed two of his first four holes and made just two birdies the rest of the way, finishing with an even-par 71 to finish 10 shots behind Scheffler.
The Open champion was upstaged by fellow competitor Tjala, who incurred a two-stroke penalty for leaving his club in a bunker earlier in the round but shot seven birdies in his final eight holes to move into third place.
Wyndham Clark tied for fifth at 15 under with Adam Scott, ahead of Sam Burns, while Shane Lowry matched the low score of the day to move up to eighth with a 6-under 65. Rory McIlroy tied for 10th at 11 under after a third-round 68.
Who will win the FedEx Cup? Watch the PGA Tour's season-ending Tour Championship live on Sky Sports. Early coverage from East Lake continues on Sky Sports+ on Sunday at 4pm, with full coverage on Sky Sports Golf at 5pm. Watch the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and more with NOW.
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