SPRINGFIELD, N.J. (AP) – Jimmy Walker overcame a few wild tee shots with four birdies on the back nine for a 2-under 68 and a one-shot lead over defending champion Jason Day going into the final round of the rain-plagued PGA Championship.
This already was shaping up as a major like no other.
Even as Walker and Day were finishing their rounds, the fourth round already had begun on rain-soaked Baltusrol. The PGA of America chose not to redo pairings for the final round because it was the only chance to finish by Sunday.
Then, the PGA decided to play preferred lies for the final round, which had not happened in a major in more than a half-century. That means players will be able to lift, clean and place their balls anywhere but the rough.
Walker, who was at 11-under 199, was among 10 players who didn’t even hit a shot Saturday because of storms that flooded the Lower Course at Baltusrol. He had never contended in a major until this week, and went into the final 18 holes having been at least tied for the lead all three rounds.