PARAMUS, N.J. — Martin Laird, who started these playoffs at No. 95, ran off four birdies early in his round and kept bogeys off his card Saturday for a 6-under 65 to build a three-shot lead over Dustin Johnson and Jason Day at The Barclays.
Laird was at 12-under 201.
"I didn't think I'd come in here and move that much," Laird said. "I caught a glimpse of the projected FedEx Cup and I got a little shock." A victory for the 27-year-old Scot would move him to No. 1, assuring him a spot in all four majors next year.
Tiger Woods will have something at stake Sunday, but it most likely won't be a trophy. He took a triple bogey after hitting his opening drive off the property and now has to play solid in the final round to finish among the top 100 in the standings and advance.
Johnson had a bogey-free 64.
LPGA TOUR: At Winnipeg, Manitoba, overnight leader Michelle Wie shot an even-par 72 to fall into a tie with Jiyai Shin after a rainy day at the Canadian Women's Open. Shin shot a 69 to erase the three-stroke lead Wie took into the third round at the St. Charles Country Club. Both were at 10-under for the tournament.
CHAMPIONS TOUR: At Snoqualmie, Wash., Bernhard Langer fired a 9-under 63 to take a one-shot lead over Nick Price after the second round of the Champions Tour's Boeing Classic. Price struggled to make birdies on the back nine and finished with a 67, allowing Langer to overtake the opening round leader.
EUROPEAN TOUR: At Gleneagles, Scotland, Francesco Molinari shot a 4-under 68 to take one-shot lead over brother Edoardo after the third round of the Johnnie Walker Championship. Francesco was at 10-under 206 at Gleneagles, Scotland, to move just ahead of his older brother, who had a 69.
AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIP: At University Place, Wash., Stanford's David Chung has ousted defending U.S. Amateur champion Byeong-Hun An in the semifinals of the 110th championship.