Along with a $1.4 million payoff, Ishikawa could become the youngest winner of a PGA Tour event in 100 years.
“I think it’s a little too early to think about winning this whole thing as of now,’’ Ishikawa said. “But I do feel that I was able to play at a pretty good level, a pretty high level today. Actually, I’m a little surprised of how I performed.’’
Scott turned his fortunes around when he decided to stick with what was working, going to a fade off the tee. He poured in four birdies on the back nine for a 66, giving the 31-year-old Australian a shot at his first WGC title.
Scott was at 12-under 198, the lowest 54-hole score at Firestone in 10 years. He will play in the last group with Ishikawa. In front of them will be Jason Day, whose 66 put him one shot behind. Day and Scott tied for second in the Masters this year.
Former Hopkinton High star Keegan Bradley, a tour rookie, had a 68 and was two shots behind, along with Martin Laird (67). The group another shot behind included world No. 1 Luke Donald, who had a 64 despite a bogey on the last hole, and Rickie Fowler, who holed out from the fairway for eagle for the second straight day. He needed that for a 69 to move within three shots of the lead.
About the only thing Tiger Woods can now get out of this week are four rounds and some points to help him qualify for the FedEx Cup playoffs at the end of the month. Woods, a seven-time winner at Firestone who hasn’t played in nearly three months, struggled again with his putting and had a 72. He was 13 shots behind in a tie for 38th in the 76-man field.
“I’ve just got to put together a good round and let it build,’’ Woods said.
Woods opened with a bogey that started with shots to the right and left of the fairway, and he didn’t hit a single fairway on the front nine. He attributed that to hitting the ball straighter, which is something he’s not used to doing.
A win would make Ishikawa the youngest winner of a tour event since John McDermott at the 1911 US Open at 19, who was one week younger than Ishikawa.
