SPORTS

Sang-Moon Bae making the most of what little time he has left before military service

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Sangmoon Bae, of South Korea, watches his tee shot on the seventh hole during the third round of The Barclays golf tournament Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in Edison, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) (The Associated Press)

Ryan Palmer hits from a bunker on the 18th hole during the third round of play at The Barclays golf tournament Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, in Edison, N.J. (AP Photo/Mel Evans) (The Associated Press)

Bae Sang-moon is making the most of his final weeks before he starts mandatory military service in South Korea.

Bae matched shots with PGA champion Jason Day throughout the third round of The Barclays on Saturday until both finished at 7-under 63 and tied for the lead going into the final round at Plainfield Country Club.

Suddenly, the opening FedEx Cup playoff event is loaded with significance beyond the $10 million bonus at the end.

Two shots behind was Ryan Palmer, playing for the first time since his father died in a traffic accident in West Texas. A victory by Bae would put him on the Presidents Cup team in his native South Korea, assuming he could even play. And a FedEx Cup title comes with a five-year exemption.