Barclays, Final Round: Luke Donald Opens Round With Six Straight Birdies, Charges Into Contention

Luke Donald has been a non-factor for the majority of The Barclays this weekend: he was -3 coming into the final round, nine shots off the pace, and never better than two under until the back nine yesterday.

But on that back nine, Donald seemed to hit his groove, registering four birdies in a span of five holes. Better yet, that hot streak has remained intact, as Donald fired six straight birdies to begin his final round. A birdie putt on 7 lipped out, ending the streak, and Donald had to get up and down from a bunker to save par on 8. They can't all be birdies, after all.

Still, the spree has launched Donald into second place, and if he can get into the clubhouse in double digits under par, that could put major pressure on the leaders as they begin their final rounds.

Elsewhere, Rory Sabbatini has also put together a solid final round, going -6 through 13. He's now at -8, and could be in for a pretty nice payday if the last few pairings underwhelm.

You can follow the live leaderboard here. For more on the Barclays and the PGA Tour, be sure to check out our golf blog, Waggle Room.