Texas Children's Houston Open

Memorial Park Golf Course



Tour Championship Round 3: Dustin Johnson, Kevin Chappell tied for lead

September 24, 2016

ATLANTA -- Though his third round was far from flawless, Dustin Johnson remains in position to capture his first FedEx Cup on Sunday.

Johnson looked to lap the field early in his round, stringing together three straight birdies to take a four-shot lead after six holes. A bogey on the seventh brought him back to the field, and back-to-back fives on the 13th and 14th cut his advantage over Kevin Chappell to just one. A birdie on the 231-yard par 3 temporarily delivered some breathing room, but a double on the 17th gave Chappell the lead. However, Johnson birdied the final hole for a one-under 69; Chappell took a five for a 68. The two share the lead heading into Sunday.

Johnson is fortunate he's not facing a deficit. Though he played a bogey-free round, Chappell failed to capitalize on Johnson's mistakes: through 16 holes, his only birdie came via chip-in. And though he birdied the 17th, a par on No. 18 -- one of the easiest holes at East Lake -- has to be seen as a disappointment.

To his credit, Chappell is leading the field in greens in regulation this week. If his irons remain hot, he will have an opportunity to win his first career PGA Tour event on Sunday.

Rory McIlroy made a Saturday run, carding four birdies for a 66. McIlroy, who has yet to win the Tour Championship, enters Sunday T-3.

The real story on Saturday was the push from Ryder Cup hopefuls. Jason Dufner turned in a 66, highlighted by a 30 on the front side, while a host of birdies spurred Ryan Moore to a four-under round as well. After a rough start to the tournament, Bubba Watson bounced back, also posting a 66.