JEJU ISLAND, South Korea – Brooks Koepka improved his chances of taking over the top spot in the World Golf Ranking for the first time by shooting a 5-under-par 67 Saturday for a four-stroke lead entering the final round of the CJ Cup at Nine Bridges.
Koepka, a 28-year-old American, was at 13-under 203 after 54 holes, with second-round leader Scott Piercy (72) and Ian Poulter (68) tied for second.
Koepka, who trailed by one stroke after two rounds, will become the new No. 1 Monday if he wins the tournament and former No. 1 Justin Thomas, who is trying to repeat as champion, does not finish any better than second.
Thomas shot a 71 on Saturday and was at 1 under, 12 strokes behind Koepka and tied for 43rd.
Dustin Johnson is currently No. 1, Koepka third and Thomas fourth in the world. Johnson and second-ranked Justin Rose are not playing this week.