Atlanta: Paul Casey has been flying under the radar heading into the Tour Championship but the Englishman emerged from a star-studded leaderboard on Saturday to seize a two-shot lead heading into the final round.
The 40-year old Casey — who missed the birth of his second child to play in the final two events of the FedEx Cup playoffs — fired a five-under 65 to vault into a two-shot lead ahead of Xander Schauffele and Kevin Kisner after the third round of the Tour Championship.
“I need to win the Tour Championship in order to win the FedEx Cup,” Casey said. “For me, the most important thing is trying to focus on trying to win the Tour Championship and the FedEx is an amazing by-product of hopefully doing that.”
Casey, who is looking for his second career USPGA Tour win, is at 12-under 198 in the final tournament of the PGA Tour’s 2017 playoffs.
Kisner (64) and rookie Schauffele (65) are tied for second at 10-under 200.
Tied for fourth at seven-under 203 is reigning PGA champion Justin Thomas (70), Patrick Reed (69) and US Open champion Brooks Koepka (68).
Casey hasn’t won on the USPGA Tour in eight years but this season has been one of the most consistent finishers. If he follows through on Sunday, he could win the tournament, the FedEx Cup title and the $10 million (Dh36.7 million) bonus that goes with it.
Casey began the week in 10th place in the PGA Tour playoffs so not only would he need the victory on Sunday but several other pieces have to fall into place for that to happen.
“I was just told the scenarios that could possibly happen and I said it’s all irrelevant if I don’t get the job done,” Casey said. “So, for me, focus on one thing. I can’t control what everybody else does. So, focusing on the Tour Championship is a big thing.”
Casey drained a 41-foot long-curving putt for birdie on the par-four 17 to help give him the lead heading into Sunday’s final round at the East Lake Golf Club.
He has finished in the top 10 eight times this season, with most of those coming in the second half of the season.
Casey became a father for the second time September 11 but he has still not seen his baby daughter, Astaria, because he was preparing to play in the BMW Championship.
Top-seeded Jordan Spieth, who won the FedEx Cup two years ago, followed his 70 on Friday with a one-under 69 to reach a four-under 206 total.
Spieth has his work cut out for him as he is tied for 13th with world number one Dustin Johnson (69), eight shots back of Casey.
