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San Antonio - Former Masters champ Zach Johnson made a birdie-fuelled charge through the field at the Texas Open that propelled him into the clubhouse lead and nearly got him into the record books.
The 33-year-old defending champion fired a 10-under 60 in the rain-soaked third round of the 6.1 million dollar PGA event, coming within one shot of becoming just the fourth player in PGA history to shoot a 59.
"I hit a lot of quality shots. I think I had to get up and down twice for par," Johnson said. "I don't think I missed a green on the backside."
Johnson matched the course record at the soggy La Cantera course and took a three-shot lead at 15-under 195.
Johnson, who won the 2007 Masters, missed a 19-foot birdie putt at the 18th hole which would have given him a 59. He tapped in for par just seconds after the horn sounded to signal that play had been halted because of darkness.
"I did not want to leave that putt short," Johnson said. "But, whatever, it was nearly pitch black."
In a round that was suspended by a five-hour rain delay, Johnson finished with eight birdies and holed out from 84 yards for an eagle on the par-four seventh.
Americans Paul Goydos and Justin Leonard were at 12-under total after 12 holes. Leonard was three-under on the day.
Goydos, who is seeking the third win of his career, began the third round with the biggest 36-hole lead of his career.
He and Leonard will return to the 13th hole to complete their round on Sunday morning before heading into the final round.
"I feel like I've got a couple birdie holes to play in the morning, and then hopefully have some in the afternoon," Leonard said.
A total of 14 players were left on the course when play was stopped for good. Players will tee off from the first and 10th tees in the fourth round.
Johnson made five birdies during a seven-hole stretch that began on the 11th hole.
It took Jonathan Kaye a little more than three hours to play his first 17 holes but it took nearly five hours to play the 18th hole and shoot a 63 because of the delay.
When Kaye resumed his round he didn't miss a step, making par after leaving his ball in the middle of the fairway.
The 33-year-old defending champion fired a 10-under 60 in the rain-soaked third round of the 6.1 million dollar PGA event, coming within one shot of becoming just the fourth player in PGA history to shoot a 59.
"I hit a lot of quality shots. I think I had to get up and down twice for par," Johnson said. "I don't think I missed a green on the backside."
Johnson matched the course record at the soggy La Cantera course and took a three-shot lead at 15-under 195.
Johnson, who won the 2007 Masters, missed a 19-foot birdie putt at the 18th hole which would have given him a 59. He tapped in for par just seconds after the horn sounded to signal that play had been halted because of darkness.
"I did not want to leave that putt short," Johnson said. "But, whatever, it was nearly pitch black."
In a round that was suspended by a five-hour rain delay, Johnson finished with eight birdies and holed out from 84 yards for an eagle on the par-four seventh.
Americans Paul Goydos and Justin Leonard were at 12-under total after 12 holes. Leonard was three-under on the day.
Goydos, who is seeking the third win of his career, began the third round with the biggest 36-hole lead of his career.
He and Leonard will return to the 13th hole to complete their round on Sunday morning before heading into the final round.
"I feel like I've got a couple birdie holes to play in the morning, and then hopefully have some in the afternoon," Leonard said.
A total of 14 players were left on the course when play was stopped for good. Players will tee off from the first and 10th tees in the fourth round.
Johnson made five birdies during a seven-hole stretch that began on the 11th hole.
It took Jonathan Kaye a little more than three hours to play his first 17 holes but it took nearly five hours to play the 18th hole and shoot a 63 because of the delay.
When Kaye resumed his round he didn't miss a step, making par after leaving his ball in the middle of the fairway.
