O'Hair, Palmer lead the chasing pack
Source: Agencies |
August 9, 2010, Monday
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WITH champion Tiger Woods far out of contention, fellow Americans Sean O'Hair and Ryan Palmer charged into a tie for the lead in Saturday's third round of the Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio.
O'Hair fired a 6-under par 64 and Palmer a sparkling 63, the only two bogey-free scores of the day, as the pair edged one shot clear of a tightly bunched leaderboard at Firestone Country Club.
The American duo finished level at 9-under 201 with compatriot Matt Kuchar alone in third after carding a 66 on a soft layout vulnerable to low scoring. Thirty-five players in the field of 80 shot rounds in the 60s.
South African Ernie Els recorded a 64 to lie fourth at 7-under along with Swede Peter Hanson (68) and American Justin Leonard (69).
At one point, seven players were in a log-jam at the top and O'Hair, seeking his fourth PGA Tour title, predicted a birdie-fest in the final round.
"It's just a shootout tomorrow," the 28-year-old said after covering the back nine in three under.
"Whoever is going to win this golf tournament is going to be the guy that's going to be ready to play tomorrow and be on top of his game.
"I'm definitely capable of doing that."
Palmer, who claimed his third PGA Tour title at the Sony Open in Hawaii in January, was also upbeat about his prospects.
"I'm confident the way I'm swinging it and my putting is the best it's been in a long time," the 33-year-old Texan said.
"If I can avoid the amount of mistakes that I make off the tee and keep driving it good, I know I'll have a chance at the end."
Fan favorite Phil Mickelson, who has a golden opportunity to replace Woods as world No. 1 after this week, briefly moved into a tie for the lead on the front nine before falling back after an erratic display. The American left-hander, who missed 10 of 14 fairways during the third round, bogeyed two of the last five holes for a 71 to share 10th place at 5-under.
Woods, champion here last year but a shadow of his former dominant self this week, completed his round 2-1/2 hours before the leaders teed off, ending the day 20 strokes adrift.
The 14-time major winner struggled to a dismal 75 in ideal scoring conditions for an 11-over total of 221, the worst of his PGA Tour career relative to par.
"I drove it terrible, hit my irons terrible, didn't putt well and it added up to a lot," Woods said after recording two birdies, five bogeys and a double-bogey.
O'Hair fired a 6-under par 64 and Palmer a sparkling 63, the only two bogey-free scores of the day, as the pair edged one shot clear of a tightly bunched leaderboard at Firestone Country Club.
The American duo finished level at 9-under 201 with compatriot Matt Kuchar alone in third after carding a 66 on a soft layout vulnerable to low scoring. Thirty-five players in the field of 80 shot rounds in the 60s.
South African Ernie Els recorded a 64 to lie fourth at 7-under along with Swede Peter Hanson (68) and American Justin Leonard (69).
At one point, seven players were in a log-jam at the top and O'Hair, seeking his fourth PGA Tour title, predicted a birdie-fest in the final round.
"It's just a shootout tomorrow," the 28-year-old said after covering the back nine in three under.
"Whoever is going to win this golf tournament is going to be the guy that's going to be ready to play tomorrow and be on top of his game.
"I'm definitely capable of doing that."
Palmer, who claimed his third PGA Tour title at the Sony Open in Hawaii in January, was also upbeat about his prospects.
"I'm confident the way I'm swinging it and my putting is the best it's been in a long time," the 33-year-old Texan said.
"If I can avoid the amount of mistakes that I make off the tee and keep driving it good, I know I'll have a chance at the end."
Fan favorite Phil Mickelson, who has a golden opportunity to replace Woods as world No. 1 after this week, briefly moved into a tie for the lead on the front nine before falling back after an erratic display. The American left-hander, who missed 10 of 14 fairways during the third round, bogeyed two of the last five holes for a 71 to share 10th place at 5-under.
Woods, champion here last year but a shadow of his former dominant self this week, completed his round 2-1/2 hours before the leaders teed off, ending the day 20 strokes adrift.
The 14-time major winner struggled to a dismal 75 in ideal scoring conditions for an 11-over total of 221, the worst of his PGA Tour career relative to par.
"I drove it terrible, hit my irons terrible, didn't putt well and it added up to a lot," Woods said after recording two birdies, five bogeys and a double-bogey.
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