FARMINGDALE, New York: Spain’s Sergio Garcia held his own at demanding Bethpage Black Saturday, firing a two-under 69 to seize sole possession of the lead after three rounds of The Barclays.
Garcia, who shared the overnight lead with Nick Watney in the first event of the US PGA Tour’s playoffs, had a 54-hole total of 10-under par 203, two strokes in front of Watney.
Garcia, who has the Ryder Cup in his sights after his victory in last week’s Wyndham Championship, survived Bethpage’s fast, slick greens which caused plenty of trouble for others, including Tiger Woods.
Woods appeared to be over the sore back that bothered him on Friday, but the 14-time major champion had four three-putts in a one-over par 72.
“I hit good putts, but my speed was awful,” said Woods, who was tied for 10th at four-under par. “That was a bit of a shocker. It was slippery out there. I played a beautiful round of golf, unfortunately didn’t clean it up on the greens.
“It was unbelievable how fast it got. Some of the greens have grass, some of them are on the dirt side. They’re right at the limit. They’re slippery once you start putting.”
Garcia finished the day with five birdies and three bogeys.
“The course is extremely firm,” said Garcia, who was the only player among the last 18 on the course to shoot under 70.
“The greens, just probably some of the fastest greens I’ve ever played. Just one of those days where you knew it was going to be tough and you have to hold on very tight, and just kind of hope for the best.”
Watney’s five birdies were exactly balanced by five bogeys, the last a three-putt at 18.
“The course just kind of beat you up,” said Watney, who had some consolation after making a 35-footer for a rare birdie at the par-three 17th.
Kevin Stadler shot up the leaderboard into third place with a bogey-free six-under 65 for 206.
Stadler had the advantage of playing early, before the greens dried out.
Brandt Snedeker carded a 68 to share fourth place with Bob Estes (72) on 207.
Lawrie wins
JW Championship
In Gleneagles, Scotland, Scotland’s Paul Lawrie celebrated official confirmation of his return to the European Ryder Cup team with a resounding four-shot victory in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles yesterday.
Lawrie, 43, shot a final round 68 for his second Tour victory this year and the eighth of his career.
Australia’s Brett Rumford secured his best finish in two years shooting a 68 for second place on 12-under par tally on the PGA Centenary course at Gleneagles.
Holland’s Maarten Lafeber (69), France’s Romain Wattel (72) and Sweden’s Fredrik Anderssen-Hed (65) shared third place on 11-under par.
Lawrie was delivering a further boost to Jose Maria Olazabal’s European team as this success came on the back of wins this month by fellow Ryder Cup team members Rory McIlroy in the PGA Championship and Sergio Garcia in the Wyndham Championship.
Meantime, the automatic top-10 qualifiers for the 2012 European Ryder Cup team have now been officially confirmed following the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles yesterday.
World No. 1 Rory McIlroy heads the list of European Team qualifiers with Germany’s Martin Kaymer securing the 10th and final automatic place.
Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts was the only player who could have changed the standings but after finishing in a share of 19th place in this final qualifying event the 29-year old will now have to rely on a Jose Maria Olazabal ‘wildcard’ pick.
1. Rory McIlroy (NIR), 2. Justin Rose (ENG), 3. Graeme McDowell (NIR), 4. Paul Lawrie (SCO), 5. Francesco Molinari (ITA), 6. Luke Donald (ENG), 7. Lee Westwood (ENG), 8. Sergio Garcia (ESP), 9. Peter Hanson (SWE), 10. Martin Kaymer (GER)
