THE ASSOCIATED PRESS • May 16, 2009 Defending champion Zach Johnson matched the La Cantera course record with a 10-under 60 on Saturday to
take a three-stroke lead in the suspended third round of the rain-soaked Texas Open. Johnson holed out from 84 yards for an eagle on the par-4 seventh and had eight birdies on the soggy course in the round interrupted by a five-hour rain delay. He tapped in for par on 18 just seconds after the horn blew and darkness suspended play. Paul Goydos and three-time champion Justin Leonard were 12 under through 12 holes. They’ll resume the round this morning. “I hit a lot of quality shots. I think I had to get up and down twice for par,” Johnson said. “I don’t think I missed a green on the backside.” Johnson wore his sunglasses down to the end as dusk turned to dark, having to peer over them on the tee box at No. 18 before pushing them right back on his face. He needed just 11 holes to erase a seven-stroke deficit after waiting until nearly 4:25 p.m. to start his round. An afternoon storm dumped more than two inches of rain, causing the longest delay on the PGA Tour this year. Fourteen players will finish the round today before starting the final 18, when they’ll re-pair.
Marc Leishman and Scott Sterling were 11 under when play was suspended. Leishman had one hole left and Sterling will resume at 15.