Home

Johnson takes control at PGA Tour playoff

AAP
Dustin Johnson will take a five-shot lead into the final round of the Northern Trust Open in Boston.
Camera IconDustin Johnson will take a five-shot lead into the final round of the Northern Trust Open in Boston.

Dustin Johnson could have used a finish like this for a record score. The birdie-eagle ending to his third round at The Northern Trust gave him a seven-under-par 64 and stretched his lead to five shots in the FedExCup playoffs opener.

Coming off a remarkable day in which he was 11 under through 11 holes and finished with seven pars for a 60, Johnson pulled away from Harris English and Scottie Scheffler with a 20-foot birdie putt on the 17th and a 40-footer for eagle on the closing hole at the TPC Boston.

He was at 22-under 191, his lowest 54-hole score by three shots.

"I'm in a great position and like where I'm at, but I'm still going to have to go out and shoot a good score," Johnson said.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

"You can go low out here and guys are going low every day, especially with the conditions we have - perfect greens, golf course is in great shape and not a lot of wind."

While Johnson is going for his second victory of the year and could go to No. 1 in the world - provided Jon Rahm doesn't finish second - for the first time since May 2019, Australian Cameron Davis slipped out of contention.

The Game AFL 2024

Davis carded a one-over 72 to remain in the top 10 but rued a triple-bogey six on the par-3 16th that left him 10 shots adrift of Johnson.

The 2017 Australian Open champion is provisionally in 65th place in the FedExCup standings and needs a strong finish to stay in the top 70 to qualify for the second week of the $US60 million playoffs.

Cameron Smith is tied for 19th at 10 under, two strokes behind Davis, following a third-round 66.

But Adam Scott plummeted down the leaderboard with a 75 that left the former world No.1 at two under.

At two over after a 76, Matt Jones, the reigning Australian Open champion, needs a big final round to qualify for next week.

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails