Thomas pulls away from the rest as Woods falters
OHIO: Justin Thomas had six birdies in a three-under-par 67 on Saturday to seize a three-shot third-round lead at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational, where Tiger Woods faded from contention.
Thomas, who defends his PGA Championship title next week at the last major of the year, is rounding into form just at the right time. A two-time winner early this season, has finished inside the top 10 just once in his last eight starts.
One over through the first five holes after a birdie and two bogeys, he produced five birdies in a nine-hole span to separate himself from a star-studded chasing pack.
“I just need to continue to go out and play well tomorrow because I have a lot of really good players chasing me,” said Thomas, who was to play in the final group with Northern Ireland star Rory McIlroy in the last round.
McIlroy carded a three-under 67 to share second on 199 with overnight co-leader Ian Poulter of England, who carded a 70.
Former world No.1 Jason Day was alone on 200 after a 69.
Woods, an eight-time winner at Firestone Country Club, which is hosting the Bridgestone for the last time, couldn’t keep pace.
He started the day five off the lead and carded a three-over 73 that left him 11 adrift. “I’m fine. I just played like crap,” Woods said. “I didn’t warm up very well, I didn’t hit the ball crisp or clean. Very similar to, you know, [to] the first day. The difference is, I made everything the first day. “Today, I didn’t make anything.” With the Firestone Country Club greens firming up in warm, sunny weather, all of the contenders predicted a tough challenge in the final round.
“The hard part about this course is you can get off track pretty quick if you’re not playing well,” Thomas said.
McIlroy was pleased with a round in which he hit nine of 14 fairways, producing three birdies without a bogey.
“I like to hit driver as much as possible and this course allows me to do that,” McIlroy said.
INJURY BLOW FOR WESTWOOD
Lee Westwood of England has withdrawn from the PGA Championship next week with an injury, missing the major for only the second time since he first played it in 1997. The PGA of America did not specify the nature of Westwood’s injury.
Westwood tied for 61st in the British Open. His last victory was in 2015 at the Indonesian Masters. He was replaced in the field at Bellerive Country Club by Jason Kokrak. Chris Kirk is the next alternate and certain to get into the field because the Bridgestone Invitational winner is likely to already be eligible.