Scheffler clinging to one-stroke edge

Schauffele second as thunder puts stop to Tour Championship

ATLANTA — Justin Thomas was a tap-in away from polishing off a 7-under-par 63. And then the horn sounded Saturday signaling a stop in play because of a thunderstorm near the PGA Tour Championship. Thomas had to wait until Sunday to not only finish but to figure out where it left him in pursuit of the Fedex Cup and its $18 million prize.

Scottie Scheffler still was in the lead, barely. Las Vegas resident Xander Schauffele still was on his heels, even tying him briefly. They were on the 13th hole and among 10 players who have to return Sunday morning for what could be a sprint toward a pile of cash.

Scheffler was at 19 under par and even par for the round on a hot, steamy day at East Lake with soft greens and little wind, a recipe for low scoring.

Schauffele was 1 under in a wild round of back-to-back birdies, backto-back bogeys and back-to-back birdies during a six-hole stretch on the front nine.

The average score for the incomplete round was 67.

That’s what Jon Rahm said he needed — another low round, and Scheffler to not have is best stuff. Rahm got only the second part right. Coming off a 63, Rahm had four bogeys to go along with five birdies and wasn’t making up much ground.

Those who didn’t finish had to return at 6:45 a.m. PT, and only then would the Fedex Cup finale have

clarity.

Sungjae Im was three shots behind at 16 under. Assuming Thomas makes his putt, he would be at 15 under. Rory Mcilroy also was at 15 under and has two holes to play, including the par-5 closing hole.

■ LPGA: At Ottawa, Ontario, Hyejin Choi shot 5-under 66 to join fellow South Korean tour rookie Na Rin An (68) at 16-under 197 for a onestroke lead entering the Canadian

Pacific Women’s Open’s final round. First-round leader Paula Reto (67) was alone in third, and third-ranked Nelly Korda (68) and Sarah Schmelzel (66) were two shots back.

■ Champions: At Grand Blanc, Mich., Scott Dunlap birdied five of the final six holes in a bogey-free 9-under 63 for an 11-under 133 total and a one-shot lead entering The Ally Challenge’s final round. Steve Stricker (64), Padraig Harrington (66) and Brett Quigley (68) were tied for second.

■ DP World: At Crans-montana, Switzerland, Thriston Lawrence shot 3-under 67 for a 17-under 193 total and a three-stroke lead entering the Omega European Masters’ final round. Matt Wallace (68) was alone in second, with Scott Jamieson (66) and Richard Mansell (66) another shot back.

John Bazemore The Associated Press Scottie Scheffler follows through on a shot toward the third hole Saturday during the suspended third round of the PGA Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club.