Johnson closes in on number one ranking

February 20, 2017 | 09:17

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PACIFIC PALISADES: Dustin Johnson had golf's world number one ranking in his sights on Sunday (Feb 19) after powering to a seven-under par 64 in the third round of the US PGA Tour Genesis Open.

Dustin Johnson plays his shot from the 13th tee during a continuation of the third round at the Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club. (AFP/ROBERT LABERGE)

Johnson birdied the last three holes at Riviera Country Club to head into the afternoon's final round of the weather-disrupted tournament in control and on a roll.

His 54-hole total of 17-under par 196 was five better than Wesley Bryan's three-round total of 201.

And Bryan, who completed an eight-under par 63 on Sunday morning, had fallen back to 11-under for the tournament through three holes of the fourth round before Johnson had even completed his third.

The frantic race to finish 72 holes by nightfall followed a first-round fog-delay and a Friday storm that prevented most players from completing the second round.

A win for Johnson and a worse-than-third finish for reigning world number one Jason Day would see the American rise to the top for the first time in his career.

Australia's Day carded a third-round 75 that left him languishing near the bottom of the field as they headed into the afternoon.

Johnson opened his day with a birdie at the first and picked up shots at the fifth, eighth and 12th before his storming finish.

He kept his foot on the accelerator with a birdie at the first to launch the final round.

AFP

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