The 2007 Masters Tournament champion shot 10-under 60 in the rain-delayed event to take the clubhouse lead at 12-under 195.
Second-round leader Paul Goydos and Justin Leonard were also 12-under for the tournament through 12 holes when play was suspended by darkness. 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. Johnson, who started the day tied for 18th place and three shots off the lead, birdied the 17th hole to go to 10-under on the par-70 course. He hit his approach shot on No. 18 to within 20 feet of the hole. The small gallery, thinned out the by lengthy delay and encroaching twilight, groaned when he came up 2 feet short. “I did not want to leave that putt short,” Johnson said. “But, whatever, it was nearly pitch black.”
Evans resident Vaughn Taylor shot 69 and is at 207.