Unstoppable Day stetches BMW lead to six

Unstoppable Day stetches BMW lead to six

CHICAGO - Jason Day continued his march to try and claim the world number one ranking, stretching his lead to six shots after the third round of the BMW Championship on Saturday.

Jason Day of Australia prepares to putt on the 18th green during the third round of the BMW Championship at Conway Farms Golf Club on September 19, 2015 in Lake Forest, Illinois

The 27-year-old Australian kept himself in position for a wire-to-wire victory as he fired a two-under 69 to reach 20-under 193 in the third of four tournaments in the USPGA Tour's FedEx Cup playoffs.

Day has a six-shot cushion over Americans Scott Piercy (67) and Daniel Berger (70) who are tied for second at the Conway Farms Golf Club.

World number one Rory McIlroy birdied three of the last four holes for a four-under 67 and is in sole possession of fourth, seven shots back of Day.

Day wobbled down the stretch, making two of his four bogeys on the back nine after making just two in the first two rounds.

But Day, who opened with rounds of 61 and 63, grinded it out and capped his third round by draining a long birdie putt on 18.

Day, of Forest Lake, Queensland, could get to world number one if he claims his fifth title of the season on Sunday. He is trying to join Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh as the only players in the last 20 years to win five or more tournaments in a season.

McIlroy will stay number one if he wins Sunday.

Jordan Spieth, who shot a 72 and is tied for 11th, can also claim number one with a win but was 10 shots off the pace.

Day began his round with back to back pars before making birdie on the par-four third. He played the final four holes of the front nine by balancing two bogeys with a couple of birdies.

He had two bogeys in his final six holes on the back nine but he managed to right the ship by draining a 25-foot putt on the par-five 18th for his sixth birdie of the day.

Day is aiming for his fourth title in his past six tournaments, a stretch that includes his first career major win at the PGA Championship and the first event of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, The Barclays.

He also has an opportunity to pass reigning US Open and Masters champ Spieth for player of the year honours.

Rickie Fowler had six birdies in a 66 and was in a tie for fifth with Dustin Johnson, who had a 68 with seven birdies, and Kevin Na, who birdied the last two holes for a 70.

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