Steady Day zeroes in on No. 1
LAKE FOREST, Illinois—Jason Day stayed on track for his fourth victory in six starts and the world No. 1 ranking when he earned a six-stroke lead after the third round at the BMW Championship on Saturday.
The Australian was far from his very best, but a two-under-par 69 at Conway Farms was enough to increase his lead after he started the day five shots clear.
He posted a 20-under 193 total with one round left in the third of the PGA Tour’s four FedExCup playoff events.
Americans Scott Piercy (67) and Daniel Berger (70) shared second place at 199.
World No. 3 Day, in posting the largest 54-hole lead on the PGA Tour this year, set himself up to claim the world No. 1 ranking.
If he wins on Sunday, he will overtake current top dog Rory McIlroy, who shot 67 to be fourth at 13-under.
The 27-year-old Day would also be the 19th player to earn top ranking, and the third Australian after Greg Norman and Adam Scott.
“I felt like I shot 80,” Day told reporters. “So to be able to squeak out with a 69 and really feel like I got everything that I possibly could out of today’s round, I think that was the best score I could have shot.
If Day can convert the large lead, it will be his fifth win of the year after the Farmers Insurance Open, Canadian Open, PGA Championship (his first major title) and the Barclays.
He would be the first non-American player with five wins on the United States tour since Vijay Singh of Fiji won nine times in 2004.
“I told everyone when I first came out that I wanted to become No. 1 and everyone kind of laughed, and that’s okay,” Day said. “That’s kind of the dream that I’ve always had and now I’ve got an opportunity.
“It’s a lifelong dream. There’s so many good things and perks that come with being No. 1 but it won’t happen if I don’t win tomorrow.