Australian Baddeley fired a best of the day, six-under-par 64 to enhance his claims for a Presidents Cup wildcard pick next week while American Mahan carded a 66, the pair finishing level at nine-under 201.

Australian Jason Day, bidding for his first PGA Tour victory this year, birdied two of the last five holes for a 69 to share third place at seven under with South Korea’s K.J. Choi (70).

“I felt like my game was in good order, so I was excited to get out there and shoot a good score,” Baddeley, who holed out from the fairway to eagle the par-four fourth, told reporters after starting the third round five strokes off the pace.

“Overall, it was a very good day. It was nice to hole some putts.”

Mahan joined Baddeley at the top of the leaderboard after rolling in a 22-foot birdie putt at the tricky par-three last, pumping his right fist in celebration.

“I’m excited to be in the hunt,” Mahan said after mixing five birdies and an eagle with three bogeys on a glorious sun-splashed afternoon. “To birdie 18 was very, very nice.

“I’ve been playing pretty well all week and I feel like I’ve got a good feel for these greens, which is obviously very important.”

Twice during Saturday’s third round, four players were tied for the lead before Baddeley and Mahan broke free from the log-jam over the closing stretch.

Australian world No. 10 Adam Scott, who had been one stroke ahead of the chasing pack overnight, faded after the turn on the way to a 74 and a tie for ninth at four under.

Every player in the elite field of 30 began the week with a mathematical chance of winning the FedExCup, along with its $10 million bonus, with victory on Sunday.

Of those, British world No. 1 Luke Donald was best placed after the third round.

The ultra-consistent Englishman, fourth in the FedExCup standings coming into this week, returned a 70 on Saturday to share fifth place at six under with American Bill Haas (69).
 
Kenneth Ferrie wins Austrian Open

In Atzenbrugg, Austria, Kenneth Ferrie beat fellow Englishman Simon Wakefield in a playoff to win the Austrian Open on Sunday for his first European Tour title since 2005 and third overall.

Ferrie and Wakefield both carded a 67 to finish 12-under 276 for the tournament. In the playoff, Wakefield’s approach to the green landed in the rough. Ferrie holed a 7-foot birdie to wrap up the victory.

Joost Luiten of the Netherlands led the leaderboard for most of the final round but bogeyed the last hole.

Thomas Norret of Denmark, who had a two-stroke overnight lead, carded a double bogey on the par-5 13th and finished fourth for his best career result.
 
Rain halts Solheim Cup with Europe ahead 11-10
 
In Dunsany, Ireland, rain and the threat of lightning forced play to be suspended in the Solheim Cup on Sunday with the score at 11-10 for Europe.

The United States needed 14 points to retain the cup, while Europe needed 14-1/2 to regain it for the first time since 2003.

Five of the 12 singles matches had been completed before heavy rain set in at Killeen Castle.

Catriona Matthew, Sophie Gustafson and Karen Stupples, whose opponent Cristie Kerr withdrew with an injured wrist, claimed points for Europe, with Morgan Pressel and Brittany Lang posting wins for the US. Kerr, suffering from tendinitis in her right wrist, had forfeited her match after walking off the practice range in tears.

“I’m devastated that I can’t play and help my team,” she said. “I tried my best but I couldn’t hold the golf club.”