MELBOURNE, 8 February 2004 — Ernie Els slipped momentarily but was still able to stretch his lead by one to eight shots after carding a four-under-par 68 in the third round of the Heineken Classic yesterday.
The world No. 3, aiming this week for his third successive win in the $1.54 million event, mixed five birdies and an eagle with three bogeys to finish at 22-under-par 194. “A lead like this, it can start making you play a little bit safe. I don’t want to do that,” South African Els said.
Joint second at 14-under 202 were New Zealand’s Gareth Paddison (67) and Australia’s Adam Scott (68).
Sweden’s Peter Hanson, who fired a 66, was a further shot back in a tie for fourth with Australian duo Peter Fowler (69) and Peter O’Malley (68).
After collecting three birdies and two bogeys on the front nine, the 34-year-old Els moved six clear of playing partner Scott with an eagle at the par-five 10th.
The three-times major champion reeled off consecutive birdies at 11 and 12 before faltering with a bogey five at the 396-yard 16th. He then signed off with pars on 17 and 18.
The South African’s opening rounds of 60 and 66 had left him just a stroke off the European Tour record low of 125 for 36 holes, but his 22-under total of 194 was the best score to par after three rounds.
England’s Donald Shoots 65 to Grab Lead at Pebble Beach
Luke Donald fired a 7-under-par 65 to seize a one-shot lead after Friday’s second round of the $5.3 million Pebble Beach National pro-am.
“I think, coming out of college I was one of the best college players for four years,” said Donald, a 26-year old from Hempstead, England said.
“And coming out on tour and getting beaten every week by a lot of good players can destroy your self-confidence.”
Donald worked in the off-season on his attitude and self-belief.
Donald’s round at Pebble Beach put him at 10-under 134.
American Tom Pernice, playing at Spyglass Hill, carded a 4-under 68 for a two-day total of 9-under 135. He is tied with J.J. Henry (70), Ken Duke (68) and Fiji’s Vijay Singh (68).
American Phil Mickelson, the only 2004 winner entered, fired a 68 and is tied with Arron Oberholser (67) and Robert Gamez (69) at 8-under. Donald carded eight birdies but bogeyed the final hole, the scenic 18th at Pebble Beach. Donald is coming off a year in which he made 17 of 27 cuts to earn 705,121 dollars and finish 90th on the money list. He had made 23 of 30 cuts in 2002 to earn $1.08 million.
Singh was looking forward to playing Pebble Beach on Saturday after hearing about the low rounds posted there Friday.
Seven others are tied at 7-under 137 in a field that has 180 professionals and 180 amateurs playing three courses, with the pros vying for the $954,000 first prize. Besides Pebble Beach, each golfer will play a round at Spyglass Hill and a round at Poppy Hills.
Wie Opens With 74 in Hawaii Pearl Open
In Aiea, Hawaii, playing in her second men’s event this year, 14-year-old Michelle Wie struggled with her putter, but still opened with a 2-over par 74 at the Hawaii Pearl Open on Friday.
She was tied for 83rd place with 14 others, eight strokes behind first-round leader Brett Wayment, who shot a 66.
“I was just out of my rhythm today,” Wie said.”
The ninth-grader is the only female in the field of 192, and the youngest overall for the third straight year in the 54-hole event, one of the premier golf tournaments in the state. The field includes 92 men from Japan, including 70 of the top pros.
Wie’s round, which started on the back nine, included one birdie and three bogeys. She struggled early in the winds, hitting just 2-of-7 fairways, and had a 37 midway through the round.
She birdied the par-5 No. 1 after a 331-yard drive set up her 7-foot putt. Wie bogeyed the next hole and parred the next six. She lipped a 20-foot par putt on the final hole.
Wie’s group included Tommy Kim (73), Japanese pro Hiroaki Munetsugu (70) and top amateur 15-year-old Yuki Ito (76).
Munetsugu shot a hole in one on the 184-yard No. 3. The 54-hole tournament has a purse of $80,000, the largest of any local tournament.
