FedExCup update: Snedeker looks to lock up East Lake early

JERSEY CITY, N.J. – Former FedExCup champion Brandt Snedeker has been a pretty annoyed spectator of late when it comes to the TOUR Championship. Snedeker has qualified for the FedExCup Playoffs in all 13 seasons of the season-long competition’s existence, but has been unable to get to the final hurdle in recent times. The nine-time PGA TOUR winner failed to make it to East Lake over the last two seasons, a place he loves having won the TOUR Championship and the FedExCup there in 2012.  But with a scintillating 8-under 63 on Saturday at THE NORTHERN TRUST, the 38-year-old has given himself every chance to lock up his return to Atlanta nice and early. Related: Leaderboard | Watson headlines FedExCup eliminations | New TOUR Championship format aims to creates excitment Coming into the Playoffs, Snedeker sat 33rd on the points list, knowing the top 30 after next week’s BMW Championship get a ticket to the TOUR Championship. His third round at Liberty National featured two eagles in a three-hole stretch (Nos. 6 and 8), five birdies and left him at 12-under for the tournament, giving him the early clubhouse lead with several golfers still out on the course. “My rookie year on TOUR when I shot 61 in San Diego, I did it. That would be about the last time,â€� he smiled while recounting his two eagles. Should he win on Sunday, Snedeker is likely to move as high as second in the FedExCup standings. Any high finish at Liberty National would ensure his play at Medinah is purely about positioning for Atlanta. “For me who has been outside of East Lake the last few years, my main goal is to get into East Lake to make sure I have a chance and build on that tomorrow,â€� Snedeker said. “With the new format (at the TOUR Championship), obviously being as close as you can to the leader going in is going to be a huge deal more so than years past. “Everybody is trying to make as many points as they can and get as high as they possibly can.â€� The FedExCup leader heading to the TOUR Championship will start at 10-under, second place at 8-under, third 7-under, fourth 6-under with fifth at 5-under. Players ranked 6-10 will start at 4-under, 11-15 at 3-under, 16-20 at 2-under, 21-25 at 1-under and 26-30 at even par.

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