American Nick Watney was threatening to pull off one of the most startling wins for many years at the Tour Championship in rainy Atlanta today. From seven over par after seven holes of his third round, Watney - the man who blew the USPGA with a closing 81 - played the next 20 holes in an incredible 14 under.
And after covering the back nine yesterday in 28 and going out in just 30 on his return, the 29-year-old — not part of his country’s Ryder Cup effort this coming week — was only one behind compatriot Jim Furyk.
Watney rounded off that burst with a chip-in eagle at the long ninth and he was, of course, chasing the richest prize in golf; €1 million for the tournament, but a €7.5million bonus for the overall FedEx Cup play-off series.
Luke Donald was only two behind and after a birdie on the eighth fellow Englishman Paul Casey was four back and not yet out of it.
Watney had parred the 10th and 11th to remain one behind Furyk when play was suspended at 1.10pm local time (6.10pm Irish) because of the danger of lightning.
Donald, though, fell three behind after fluffing a chip on the eighth and as he bogeyed Casey made a 25-footer from short of the ninth green to join him in third place.
The tee-off times had been brought forward because of the weather forecast, but there was still more than two hours’ play to go when the siren was sounded.
Scot Martin Laird had long since finished in 30th and last place, a 73 for 15 over completing an unhappy week, but Justin Rose had a 67 for one over and 19th spot. It could have been even better. He went in the water on the par-three last, but got out of it with a bogey.
A long delay, of course, could impact on the departure of the American team - and Donald - for the Ryder Cup. They were due to leave Atlanta at 10pm.