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SPORTS Monday 4 SepteMber 2017

Thomas fires off a 63, shares lead with Leishman in Boston

By DOUG FERGUSON Johnson, coming off a play-
AP Golf Writer off victory last week in New
NORTON, Mass. (AP) — PGA York, sarcastically pumped
champion Justin Thomas his fist when he made a
ran off eight birdies on a birdie on No. 14, and then
long, wet TPC Boston for a he kept right on going. The
tournament-best 63, giving only hole he didn’t birdie
him a share of the lead with coming in was at No. 17,
Marc Leishman going into where he missed a birdie
a Labor Day finish in the chance for 10 feet.
Dell Technologies filled with “I just wanted to get myself
the game’s best players. in position to be in range of
The FedEx Cup playoff the leaders,” Johnson said.
event in Boston has a his- He was three behind Spieth
tory of delivering big mo- going into the final round of
ments, and this was set up The Northern Trust and end-
for another. ed up winning in a sudden-
Leishman, who won at Bay death playoff.
Hill this year, also played PGA Tour rookie Grayson
bogey-free for a 65 on Murray (67) and Adam
Sunday to join Thomas at Hadwin (68) were at 10-un-
12-under 201. der 203 along with Spieth,
Eight players were separat- who has made only two
ed by three shots going into bogeys over his last 45
the final round, a listed that Justin Thomas reacts after missing a putt on the 15th hole during the third round of the Dell holes. Spieth shot a sec-
included Jordan Spieth Technologies Championship golf tournament at TPC Boston in Norton, Mass., Sunday, Sept. 3, ond straight 66 and was
and Dustin Johnson, Paul 2017. surprised that left him two
Casey and Jon Rahm. Still Associated Press shots behind, all because
very much in the mix was designed 12th hole for the the three par 5s without a as many chances as I can of Thomas and Leishman.
Phil Mickelson, only four third time this week and birdie, missing a 12-footer and try and make them,” “I couldn’t have shot a
shots behind. holed a 50-foot birdie putt, on the final hole that would he said. whole lot better,” Spieth
“There is a heightened and then added a pair of have given him a share of Rahm had a two-shot lead said. “I thought four back
something to these play- 25-foot birdie putts. the lead. and still had the lead until starting the day, if I could
off events that bring out And he didn’t even birdie Then again, the TPC Boston running into trouble on the cut that in half, then that
certain champions for the any of the par 5s. played longer than ever back nine, making three would be a tremendous
most part,” Spieth said Sun- “I just felt I had total con- with heavy air and a light bogeys until he ended his goal. So goal achieved,
day after finishing with two trol of my game,” Thomas rain that never left Sun- round with a birdie for a 71. maybe.”
straight birdies to nudge said. “But it’s crazy to think day. Thomas was stunned . “I will be a little bit frustrat- Mickelson dropped a shot
closer to the lead, just two I did that and parred all the when he smashed a driver ed for a while because it on the par-5 seventh with
shots behind. “It’s going to par 5s. That’s a little bit of on the 18th and couldn’t always is bad when you’re a wild tee shot and missed
be a throw-down tomor- a bummer, if I could some- carry a bunker complex making good swings and a 4-foot birdie putt on the
row.” Thomas had his third how have a downside to only 260 yards out. He nor- things don’t happen,” ninth hole, but otherwise
round this season at 63 or the day. But like I said, I’m mally flies a tee shot like Rahm said. “I’ll probably kept in the game. This is
better — a list that includes extremely pleased and put that 300 yards. The forecast get to the hotel, lay down the first time Mickelson has
his 59 at the Sony Open myself in a great position to for Monday was mostly sun- for a little bit and realize the opened with three straight
and a 63 at the U.S. Open win the tournament.” shine, and if the course re- fact that I’m still three shots rounds in the 60s since the
— to turn a five-shot deficit And he has plenty of com- mains softer from rain, this back.” St. Jude Classic in June,
into a share of the lead and pany. could be a typical shoot- Most frustrating was that which also was his last top-
a chance to win for the fifth Casey played in the final out. Leishman figured the everyone around him was 10 finish.
time this year. group at the TPC Boston winning score would be in making a move. Monday could go a long
He birdied six of the first 10 last year, but Rory McIl- the 15- or 16-under range. It was especially critical for way in persuading U.S.
holes, the longest at about roy ran him down with a “That would be my plan, Johnson, who played the captain Steve Stricker to
12 feet. He played down 65 to overcome a six-shot to just try and do what I’ve third round with Thomas pick him for the Presidents
the 13th fairway on the re- deficit. Casey also played been doing — give myself and couldn’t buy a putt. Cup. q