Singh leads as Daly and Woods lag
(China Daily)
Updated: 2004-08-02 06:03

World No 3 Vijay Singh produced the day's lowest score, a seven-under-par 65, to charge into a two-stroke lead after the third round of the US$4.5 million Buick Open on Saturday.

The Fijian finished 18-under on 198, two ahead of former British Open and US PGA champion John Daly (66). World No 1 Tiger Woods (66) and Paraquay's Carlos Franco (67) were tied for third on 201, with Sweden's Daniel Chopra fifth on 202.

Singh, who has won the last six events he has either shared or held the 54-hole lead, was tied with Billy Andrade and Jim Furyk through 36 holes but has now put himself on track for his fourth PGA Tour victory of the season.

There were no bogeys on Singh's card as he packed seven birdies in his round. He has not dropped a shot in 51 holes and knows birdies are abundant at the Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club course which has been softened by rain this week.

"There are so many birdie opportunities out there," he told reporters. "Even the par-threes, if you hit the greens, you've got a good chance of making birdies.

"I knew my chances were going to come. I just kept plodding along and I was very patient out there."

Singh only hit five of 14 fairways but found 14 greens in regulation and took 27 putts with a traditional blade that he has chosen to use this week ahead of his usual belly putter.

"I'm really happy with my putting and feel like I have some touch back," said Singh, who did however spurn a four-foot birdie chance at the 18th to extend his lead.

Daly, who won the Buick Invitational earlier this year, will be in the final pairing with Singh on Sunday (local time).

"I'd rather be in the last group on Sunday because you already know what the guys are doing in front of you and you have that opportunity to get it back," said Daly.

Also lurking is Woods, who is still hunting his first strokeplay win this season. He knows that overcoming a three-stroke deficit will not be easy.

"It's not like a tournament where you can go out there and shoot maybe a couple under par and win," said Woods.

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