Day, No. 1 Johnson lurk in Houston

Jason Day stumbled at the end at Memorial Park, threeputting for bogey on the par4 18th to finish with a 3underpar 67 on Saturday to fall a stroke behind Sam Burns in the PGA Tour’s Houston Open.

“Unfortunately, I just gave it a little bit too much gas,” said Day of his finishing putts. About his round, he said, “I was just trying to be as patient as possible. I know it’s a Saturday round. Obviously, can’t win it today. You’ve got to just give yourself an opportunity to get into tomorrow’s round.”

Winless in 21⁄ years and fighting lingering back and neck problems, Day, who had five birdies and two bogeys, was happy to remain in contention in the final event before the Masters.

“Overall, it was a solid day,” the Australian said. “I think I drove it nice, hit a lot of good iron shots and I was just very patient out there today, so it was good to see. Looking forward to tomorrow.”

Burns, who eagled the par5 eighth, shot a 68 to hold onto the lead at 9under 201.

“I think this golf course, it’s not a matter of if, it it’s a matter of when, when this golf course will hit you,” Burns said. “I think for me, ( it’s) just being able to hang in there.”

Dustin Johnson, needing to finish solo 15th or better to remain No. 1 in the world, was in fifth place at 6under after a 66 in his return from the coronavirus.

Mexico’s Carlos Ortiz was tied with Day after a 67. Sepp Straka ( 66) was at 7under. Aaron Wise ( 69) and Dawie van der Walt ( 69) joined Johnson at 6under.

PGA Tour Champions: Sacramento native Kevin Sutherland hit a sand wedge to within inches on the par5 18th for one last birdie on a windy afternoon in the Charles Schwab Cup Championship in Phoenix.

Sutherland shot 7under 64 to improve to 13under 129 for a fiveshot lead over Wes Short Jr.