It is coming up to a year since Justin Thomas won his first major championship, capturing the Wanamaker Trophy at the PGA Championship in Charlotte. One year later, at the last World Golf Championship taking place at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio, Thomas has the 54-hole lead by three shots. He is trying to win his first World Golf Championship and his second tournament victory this season, along with the Honda Classic earlier in the year.
With six birdies on the card, the star golfer shot a three-under 67, where his average driving distance was 335 yards. He has been incredibly steady all this week and is looking to fend off his competition to secure the World Golf Championship tomorrow.
“I just need to continue to go out and play well tomorrow,” Thomas stated. “Because I have a lot of really good players that are chasing me.”
Tied for second place is Rory McIlroy, who matched Thomas’ third-round score with a three under 67. Firing three birdies on the card, McIlroy had a 64% driving accuracy and 61% greens in regulation. He shares the 11-under spot with Ian Poulter, who scrambled his way to an even-par round. McIlroy and Thomas will be paired together in the final group tomorrow.
“I drove the ball well, gave myself plenty of chances, didn’t convert too many but even when I put myself out of position I held some good pars,” said McIlroy after the round.
“If I can just make a couple more birdies and keep the bogeys off my card, I shouldn’t be too far away.”
Jason Day sits at 10-under, four back of the lead. If he is going to make a charge at Justin Thomas tomorrow, he needs to hit the ball better. In his third round, he only had a 28% driving accuracy percentage.
Tiger Woods, who has won this tournament eight times, fell out of contention after shooting a three-over 73. It was the highest score in a weekend round he has posted this year.
“I didn’t warm up very well. I didn’t hit the ball crisp or clean. Very similar to the first day. The difference is I made everything the first day. Today, I didn’t make anything,” Woods said.
Woods had four bogeys and only one birdie on the card, the third time that was done in 62 rounds at Firestone dating back to 1999. Coming into the third round, he had shot 10 consecutive rounds of par or better, dating back to the Quicken Loans this year, where he was tied for fourth. While it will be disappointing to not see Tiger in contention for a chance to win tomorrow, he will be forever remembered by his domination at Firestone, with this course having its last PGA Tour round played tomorrow.
