CARMEL, Indiana: US Open champion Dustin Johnson ran off four birdies in his last five holes Saturday for a 4-under 68, giving him a three-shot lead going into the final round of the soggy BMW Championship.
Johnson couldn’t make any putts early. He couldn’t miss late.
His late run to seize control began with a 10-foot birdie putt on the 14th hole and ended with an 18-foot birdie putt on the 18th.
Paul Casey did his best to stay with him. Casey, coming off a runner-up finish on Labor Day at the TPC Boston, matched two of Johnson’s birdies during his late run until he had to scramble for pars on the last two holes. He still managed a bogey-free 68 and will be in the final group Sunday.
Johnson was at 18-under 198.
He will be going for his third victory of the year, which would move him to the top of the FedEx Cup going into the finale at the Tour Championship in two weeks and make him a heavy favorite to win PGA Tour player of the year and the Vardon Trophy.
Still in the mix was J.B. Holmes, who shot a 68 and was four shots behind. Holmes at least is making a compelling case to be a captain’s pick for the Ryder Cup when Davis Love III announces three of his selections on Monday. Holmes finished 10th in the US standings.
Roberto Castro, who began the third round tied for the lead, didn’t make a birdie in his round of 74 and fell six shots behind. Worst yet, the Georgia Tech alum who lives in Atlanta hurt his chances of moving into the top 30 who advance to the Tour Championship.
Barring a collapse by Johnson — it has happened before — his big finish after a rain delay earlier Saturday eliminated several players. Adam Scott finally got some putts to drop and with birdies on the last two holes, he shot a 67 and joined Matt Kuchar (68) at 11-under 205.
But they finished before Johnson was done making birdies, and both were seven shots behind.
“I’m certainly a long shot. I’m a long way back of the leaders and some great names on the leaderboard,” Kuchar said. “But I got a chance, and golf on Sunday in fun when you have a chance.”
Jordan Spieth had such a poor day putting that the distance of his total putts added to 30 feet, 6 inches. Spieth routinely makes one putt from that distance in a round. He was helped by two chip-ins, one for birdie and one for eagle, but closing with two straight bogeys gave him a 68. He was 10 shots behind, and his attention turned to a strong finish with hopes of getting one of the top five seeds at East Lake in the Tour Championship.
Anyone in the top five only has to win the Tour Championship to claim the FedEx Cup and its $10 million bonus.
Other Ryder Cup hopefuls didn’t shine. Bubba Watson had to settle for a 72, while Rickie Fowler shot 71 and was tied for 59th.
Defending champion Lee retains crown at Korea Open
Defending champion Lee Kyoung-Hoon fired a final-round 68 to win the Korea Open title for the second time Sunday.
He carded 16-under-par 268 for a three-stroke victory over countryman Choi Jin-Ho at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club in Cheonan.
Choi mounted a strong challenge on the front nine before three straight bogeys from the 10th derailed his glory bid.
One shot behind was Kang Kyung-Nam, who was looking to re-ignite his career after completing his mandatory military service last year.
Choi, two strokes behind after the third round, drew level with Lee after birdies at the first and the fourth, turning the contest into an engrossing duel.
Lee shot four straight birdies from the par-five fifth hole as Choi picked up three shots in the same stretch.
But Choi’s challenge crumbled after the turn with three bogeys on the trot.
Thailand’s Namchok Tantipokhakul shot a 69 to finish as the highest-placed overseas challenger in equal 12th spot, 11 shots behind Lee.
Johnson seizes control in BMW Championship
Johnson seizes control in BMW Championship
