WOBURN, England, 26 September 2004 — Sweden’s Henrik Stenson opened up a one-shot lead over compatriot Patrik Sjoland after the third round of The Heritage tournament here yesterday as he continued his attempts to resurrect his game.
Stenson shot a five under par 67 to once again play like the man who stormed onto the scene in 2001 when he captured the Benson and Hedges International Open before his career went into freefall.
Sjoland, without a win on the Tour since the 2000 Irish Open, has also been working his way back from a quiet spell. Englishman Simon Wakefield returned a 67 and is two behind Stenson, while Finland’s Mikko Ilonen is a stroke further back.
Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell, leader after the opening two rounds fell back with a 72 and is nine under for the tournament.
South Africa’s Retief Goosen, currently second on the Order of Merit, climbed up the through the field with a 67 to lie on seven under.
Singh Seizes Two Shot Lead in Pennsylvania
In Farmington, Pennsylvania, Fiji’s Vijay Singh followed up an opening-round 64 with a 4-under 68 Friday to retain the lead at 12-under-par at the $4.2 million PGA event.
The world No. 1 and the PGA Tour leader in wins (seven) and money (nearly $8.7 million) this year is seeking his third-straight win. Singh has a two shot lead and got off to a hot start.
Beginning his round at the 10th, Singh birdied Nos. 10 and 11 before bogeying the par-3 13th. Singh bounced back from his lone bogey in two rounds with back-to-back birdies on 15 and 16.
Ben Curtis carded his second consecutive 67 to shave one stroke off of Singh’s lead and remain in second place at 10-under. Chris DiMarco was the day’s big mover, starting the second round in a tie for 29th and vaulting up to third with a 7-under 65.
Birthday Boy Ghei Soars Into Lead With Lin
In Taipei, India’s Gaurav Ghei soared on an eagle’s wing as he moved into the joint lead with Lin Chie-hsiang of Taiwan after the third round of the Taiwan Open.
It was Ghei’s 36th birthday and he celebrated in style at North Bay Golf and Country Club, shooting a three-under-par 69 that included a stunning eagle two in the $300,000 Asian Tour event.
Overnight co-leader Lin, bidding for his third Taiwan Open crown, overcame a shaky start to sign for a 71 while Australian Terry Pilkadaris, fourth in the recent Kolon Korean Open, finished one stroke back after a 70.
Korea’s Charlie Wi matched the course record with a blemish-free 64, thanks to six birdies and an eagle as he moved to within two strokes of the leaders.
Local hope Lin Wen-tang had seven birdies in his round of 65 to lie alongside Wi and Thailand’s Thammanoon Srirot, who carded a 73, in equal fourth place.
Since winning his only major title in the 1995, Ghei’s career has been hit by injuries and he was delighted to be contending in what is the 40th Taiwan Open.
“I’m really happy to be in the joint lead. I feel lucky and hopefully, it’ll go my way on Sunday,” said Ghei, who has a three-day total of two-under-par 214.
Inkster Shoots 66 to Lead California LPGA Event
In Auburn, California, Juli Inkster shot a five-under par 66 to vault past Christina Kim into first place halfway through the $1 million LPGA Tour event.
Inkster posted seven birdies on Friday with bogeys on the par-4 fourth and seventh holes for her second straight 66.
American Inkster leads first-round leader Christina Kim, who is alone in second at 9-under-par.
A group of five golfers, including Karrie Webb and Angela Stanford — who shot a 6-under 65 — are tied for third, trailing Inkster by two shots.
Defending champion Helen Alfredsson, who shot a 4-under 67 in the first round, missed the cut after posting a 6-over 77 Friday.
The tournament features 19 of the top 25 money winners but not Annika Sorenstam, the best women’s golfer in the world. First prize is $150,000.
