Patrick Cantlay threatened to pull away in the Tour Championship before a late-round stretch that made it tight again Saturday at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.
Cantlay will hold a two-shot advantage on Jon Rahm going into Sunday’s final round after posting a 3-under par 67 in the third round.
Cantlay had three birdies across a four-hole stretch before playing a six-hole span in 2 over. He recovered for a birdie on No. 18, so his score reads 20 under (after beginning the tournament at 10 under based on the format used).
“I think everything that I’m telling myself is just to stay totally present and shoot the lowest score I can every day and not get ahead of myself,” Cantlay said. “Sunday will feel like a normal Sunday, I’m sure.”
Rahm shot 68, moving to 18 under. Aside from one birdie, he had all pars across the last 10 holes.
Cantlay and Rahm will play in the final pairing again as they battle for the $15 million prize at the conclusion of the FedEx Cup playoffs.
“I’m just going to keep doing exactly what I’ve been doing this week, nothing special,” Rahm said. “Again, just trying to hit the best shot I can at each moment.”
Rahm, who became a major winner for the first time when he captured the U.S. Open in June, had the best scores in each of this week’s first two rounds with 65s.
Cantlay, who surged atop the standings of golf’s three-week postseason by winning last week’s BMW Championship, began the Tour Championship with a two-shot lead based on the system used during the FedEx Cup playoffs. His listed score was 10-under when play began Thursday, while Rahm was at 6-under.
Rahm pulled even with a birdie on the third hole Saturday while Cantlay continued a recent trend of pars. Both golfers notched birdies at No. 6.
Cantlay had a birdie on the next hole, only the second time in the tournament that he produced birdies on consecutive holes. The other time came on the last two holes Friday. Meanwhile, Rahm’s bogey on the eighth hole created a two-shot spread.
Justin Thomas has a remote chance, trailing Cantlay by five shots going into Sunday’s play after a 65 on Saturday. That matched Abraham Ancer, who’s tied with Billy Horschel (67) for fifth place at 10 under, for the best score of the round.
“I know I can shoot a low score out here,” Thomas said. “I can’t worry about what the other guys are doing. I just have to go out and try to make some birdies.”
Kevin Na shot 66 to stay within striking distance in fourth place at 13 under.
Bryson DeChambeau began the third round in third place, though six shots back. DeChambeau, who lost to Cantlay in last week’s playoff, slipped with a 72, putting him in a seventh-place tie with Viktor Hovland (70).
Brooks Koepka withdrew because of a wrist ailment after 12 holes Saturday.
–Field Level Media