Firestone Country Club fought back on moving day and took a big bite out of many would-be contenders at the WGC-Bridgestone.
After two days of generous scoring, softer greens and dozens of birdies, things got tougher on Saturday.
Justin Thomas, one of three overnight leaders, did the best job of that trio and his 67 helped him open up a three-shot lead going into Sunday’s finale.
Thomas is at 14-under par, three clear of Rory McIlroy (67) and Ian Poulter (70), one of the overnight co-leaders.
J.T. leads Jason Day by four after Day’s 69 and only four players are in double-figures under par through 54 holes.
There was a lot of struggling, including Tiger Woods, whose 73 dropped him all the way back into a tie for 28th with Phil Mickelson and an assortment of players at three-under.
As for Thomas, if he plays well on Sunday, he could be nearly impossible to catch.
“It depends on how he (J.T.) plays,” said Day, who will play in the next-to-last pairing with Poulter. “It’s firm and fast and shouldn’t yield too many low scores.”
Thomas will play with McIlroy, who missed at least three short putts inside 10 feet or he could have easily been tied for the lead.
Low round of the day was a 65 by Rickie Fowler. He moved to eight-under, six back of Thomas.
