Perhaps only Andrew Putnam stands between Dustin Johnson regaining the world No. 1 ranking.
The 29-year-old Putnam (pictured), who played at Pepperdine, posted a bogey-free 6-under-par 64 and is tied with Johnson for the lead five strokes ahead of Stewart Cink going to the final round of the FedEx St. Jude Classic at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tenn.
“It’s going to feel a little bit different for a Sunday round of golf, being in the final group,” said Putnam, whose two pro victories came in the 2014 WNB Golf Classic and the 2017 on the Panama Claro Championship on the Web.com Tour. “I earned my way here and I’m excited for it. I feel like I belong here. We’ll see what happens.
“I’ve played pretty well the last 36 holes and I just want to stick to my game plan. It’s going to be fun.”
Putnam collected three birdies on each nine, including a 17-foot birdie putt on the final hole, to tie Johnson at 15-under 195.
Johnson, who has won 17 times on the PGA Tour including at least once in each of the last 10 seasons, had four birdies on the back nine on his way to a 65.
“(Winning) kind of takes care of itself,” said Johnson, whose last victory came in the Sentry Tournament of Champions in January. “Tomorrow I’m going to go out and just stick to my game plan, make good shots and obviously try to win the golf tournament, and then it’s a little bit of a bonus to go back to No. 1.
“If I go out tomorrow and play really good golf, I’m probably going to win. If I don’t, I’m sure Andrew’s going to beat me (because) he’s playing really good right now. It’s pretty simple.”
Cink, who has won six times on the PGA Tour but not since the 2009 Open Championship at Turnberry, made a hole in one with a pitching wedge from 144 yards on the eighth hole en route to a 64 and is alone in third.
Richy Werenski sank a five-foot eagle putt on the third hole while shooting 66 and is six shots back in a tie for fourth with Wesley Bryan, who had a 69, and Chez Reavie is another shot down in solo sixth after a 68.
Trey Mullinax carded a bogey-free 65 and is eight behind in a tie for seventh with Brandt Snedeker, who had a 70, and C.T. Pan of Taiwan, who came in at 71.
Michael Kim of Alameda and Cal totaled 67 and is nine strokes back in a tie for 10th with Chris Kirk (66), amateur Braden Thornberry (65), Scott Stallings (67), J.B. Holmes (68), Brooks Koepka (69), Steve Stricker (68), Denny McCarthy (69) and Seamus Power (70) of Ireland.
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