Scottie Scheffler opens five-shot lead with strong finish

Scottie Scheffler birdied four of his last five holes to ensure he takes a five-shot lead into the final round of the Tour Championship.

Collin Morikawa is the only player within nine shots of the world number one having also finished strongly with three birdies in the last four holes at East Lake for a 67.

Scheffler’s third round 66 leaves him within touching distance of the 25 million dollars (£19 million) FedEx Cup prize having missed out after leading into the season-ending tournament last year.

He also had a six-shot lead heading into the final round two years ago but was overhauled by Rory McIlroy.

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“I feel like I’ve done a lot of stuff well and played solid, so I’m looking forward to the challenge of trying to finish off the tournament tomorrow,” he said.

The strongest finish came from Sahith Theegala, who jumped into third place – four behind Morikawa – with five straight birdies to finish his round, part of a run of seven birdies and a bogey in his last eight holes en route to a 66.

Theegala recovered from a double bogey six on the third hole after he called a two-stroke penalty on himself for feeling he clipped the sand in a bunker during his backswing.

“Pretty sure I breached the rules, so I’m paying the price for it, and I feel good about it,” Theegala said.

Xander Schauffelle slipped back to fourth on 16-under-par with a 71, while Shane Lowry jumped up to eight – a further three strokes back – as he equalled the lowest round of the day with a 65.

McIlroy is tied for 10th, 15 strokes off the pace, after adding a 68 to his opening rounds of 69.