Johnson’s 60 follows deluge in Texas

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 17/05/2009 (6301 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SAN ANTONIO — Defending cham­pion Zach Johnson matched the La Can­tera course record with a 10-under 60 on Saturday to take a three-stroke lead in the suspended third round of the rain-soaked Texas Open.

Johnson holed out from 84 yards for an eagle on the par-4 seventh and had eight birdies on the soggy course in the round interrupted by a five-hour rain delay.

He tapped in for par on 18 before darkness suspended play.

Paul Goydos and three-time cham­pion Justin Leonard were 12 under through 12 holes. They’ll resume the round Sunday morning.

"I hit a lot of quality shots. I think I had to get up and down twice for par," Johnson said. "I don’t think I missed a green on the backside."

Johnson needed just 11 holes to erase a seven-stroke deficit after waiting until nearly 4:25 p.m. CT to start his round.

An afternoon storm dumped more than 50 millimetres of rain, causing the longest delay on the PGA Tour this year.

Fourteen players including Calgary’s Stephen Ames will finish the round Sunday before starting the final 18, when they’ll re-pair.

Marc Leishman and were Scott Ster­ling were 11 under before play sus­pended. Leishman had one hole left and Sterling will resume at 15.

Kent Jones and Fredrik Jacobson were 10 under through 14.

Johnson used an 8-iron on the par­3 17th tee to set up his final birdie. He made a little fist pump after sinking the seven-footer, knowing he had a chance at a becoming just the fourth player to match a PGA Tour-record 59.

But he left a birdie putt two feet short on 18.

"I did not want to leave that putt short," Johnson said after the round. "But, whatever, it was nearly pitch black."

— The Associated Press