Jordan Spieth sank a 20-foot birdie on the 18th hole to take the lead from Henrik Stenson of Sweden after three rounds of the Tour Championship at soggy East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.
Spieth, the reigning Masters and U.S. Open champion who has won four times this season on the PGA Tour, shot a 2-under-par 68 that included several remarkable par saves.
“It was a fantastic day,” the 22-year-old Spieth said. “I would have taken even par when the day started and so to finish a couple under was fantastic.
“Up-and-down on No. 5 and No. 8 were the keys to the day today. Those were both challenging and I could have easily been 3-over through eight holes. Big momentum shift there with a putt on 8 and 9.”
Stenson, who had led since opening with a 63, posted a 72 that included three bogeys on the back nine.
“Wet, muddy, rough,” Stenson said. “What is that race called, Tough Mudder? Is that what it’ called? That’s what it felt like. … I feel like I need to hit the fairways and give myself the best chances, especially when I’m battling my swing a little bit.
“All in all, it was a tough day and I didn’t play my best, but I still think I kept it together quite nicely in tough conditions.”
Rickie Fowler of Murrieta, whose 67 was the day’s best round, and Paul Casey of England, who shot a 71 were four strokes back in a tie for third.
Fowler played the final nine in 31 and birdied the difficult 235-yard, par-3 18th hole for the second time in three days.
“With the conditions, I hit some great shots, made some good putts and it’s going to go a long ways to put myself in good position for Sunday,” Fowler said.
If Spieth, Stenson, Fowler Bubba Watson or Jason Day of Australia win the tournament, they will also win the FedEx Cup and a $10-million bonus. Stenson won both in 2013.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland shot an uneven 70 and is five shots back in a tie for fifth with Zach Johnson, who posted a 71.
J.B. Holmes shot 68 and is another stroke down in solo seventh, while Bubba Watson also had a 68 and was seven strokes behind in a tie for eighth with Justin Rose of England, who came in at 71.
Stenson started his round with a bogey on the first hole, but he quickly got it back at No. 3 by making an eight-footer for birdie, and turned in even-par 35.
The Swede had back-to-back bogeys at No. 10 and 11, recovered with a birdie at the 14th, but three-putted from 35 feet for bogey at No. 17.
Day, who is No. 1 in the World Golf Rankings and the FedEx Cup standings, shot 70 and is tied for 10th, eight strokes behind.
