Johnson just missed out on the 2004 Ryder Cup

Ryder Cup hopeful Zach Johnson will take a one-point lead into the final day of the International in Colorado.

The 30-year-old American made eagle at the opening hole and collected 15 points for an overall tally of 27 in the Stableford scoring system.

That left him one ahead of Steve Flesch and two ahead of fellow American Stewart Cink and Canada's Ian Leggatt.

England's David Howell could only manage -2 points in his third round and failed to qualify for the final day.

Fellow Englishman Justin Rose missed the third-round cut by one point, while Paul Casey finished five points off the cut mark.

Chasing his second PGA Tour title, Johnson holed out with a 90-yard wedge for an eagle-two at the first and picked up five more shots in a blemish-free display at Castle Pines Golf Club.

The thing I like is that his bad tournaments have not been too bad Ryder Cup skipper Tom Lehman on Zach Johnson

Johnson, ninth in the US Ryder Cup standings with just next week's PGA Championship remaining before the 12-man team is decided, is determined to make his Cup debut.

"It's my biggest goal of the year, something that I really, really want badly," he said, referring to the 22-24 September showdown with Europe at the K Club in Ireland.

"I don't want to be like last time where I was a potential pick, where I think I finished 12th or 13th on the list.

"If I can take care of business here, that stuff will take care of itself. That's kind of my approach."

Ryder Cup skipper Tom Lehman, who announced he will not play in Kildare, has been impressed with Johnson's consistency this season.

"He's been very steady and had some good tournaments," the 46-year-old said after climbing up to fifth with eight points in round three.

"The thing I like is that his bad tournaments have not been too bad. He plays poorly and finishes 30th or 25th."

Johnson was one of 70 players who had to return to Castle Pines on Saturday morning to finish the second round after Friday's action was halted in fading light.

Under the tournament's modified Stableford scoring format, two points are awarded for a birdie, five for an eagle and eight for an albatross.