Snedeker in front
Amateur Du Toit shares second place with Johnson
Brandt Snedeker drained a seven-foot eagle putt on the final hole to cap a six-under 66 that gave him a one-stroke lead in the US PGA Tour’s Canadian Open.
Snedeker’s three-round total of nine-under 207 on Saturday put him one shot ahead of US Open champion Dustin Johnson and Canadian amateur Jarde Du Toit.
“It was a great way to finish, but I didn’t expect to be ahead at the end of the day,” Snedeker said after his effort at Glen Abbey outside of Toronto.
He needs some solid results to make the US team for the Ryder Cup in September.
“It’s important that I make that team,” he said.
“I have to get my game in shape and this was a good start. I just have to pull on my experience tomorrow and play well again.
“There are a lot of guys right there and I will need to play another great round to win.”
Du Toit, trying to become the first Canadian to win his national championship since Pat Fletcher in 1954, rolled in a 40-foot eagle putt at 18 to cap his 70.
“It feels good,” said Du Toit, who will be a senior at Arizona State University and is playing in his first PGA Tour event.
“I’ve never been here before, but I’m looking forward to it.
“This will be a new type of pressure and atmosphere for me, but I’m just trying to have fun and golf my ball,” added Du Toit, who will play in the last group on the final day.
World number two Johnson was tied for the lead after each of the first two rounds but needed a 12-foot birdie putt at 18 to complete a one-under 71.
Steve Wheatcroft made a 43-foot eagle putt on 18 for a 64 that was the low round of the day.
He was two strokes back on 209 and tied with Germany’s Alex Cejka, whose 69 included an 84-foot birdie putt at the final hole.
Scotland’s Martin Laird (68), Spain’s Jon Rahm (72) and Americans Cameron Tringale (69), Matt Kuchar (70), Chad Campbell (70) and Ricky Barnes (71) were tied on 210.
World number one and defending champion Jason Day of Australia followed his second-round 76 with a 69 but remained seven off the pace in a tie for 28th.
He was joined on 214 by Luke List, who shared the lead with Johnson after each of the first two rounds but carded a thirdround 77 that included a tripleand two double-bogeys.