Golf-Furyk poised to end PGA Tour title drought in Tampa Bay (Reuters)
March 20, 2010
TAMPA, Florida, March 20 (Reuters) – Jim Furyk inchedcloser to his first PGA Tour title in three years when he movedthree strokes clear in Saturday’s third round of the Tampa BayChampionship.
The former U.S. Open champion birdied three of the lastnine holes for a four-under-par 67 and an 11-under total of 202at the Innisbrook Resort.
South Korean KJ Choi fired a matching 67 to share secondplace with South African Retief Goosen, Swede Carl Petterssonand long-hitting American Bubba Watson, who all carded 70s.
“I’m just happy with the round,” American Furyk toldreporters after covering the back nine in three-under 32.
“I felt like I played real solid on the front nine, misseda couple good birdie putts.
“But I got on a little bit of a run on the back nine and itturned out to be a good score.”
The 2003 U.S. Open champion has not triumphed on the U.S.circuit since the 2007 Canadian Open, a barren run of 58events.
“I’ve had quite a few opportunities to win,” Furyk said.“Sometimes I’ve hit poor shots or I’ve played poorly, shot abad round and got myself out of it.
“When you’re playing poorly or you don’t play well, it’seasy to lose your confidence and it takes a lot longer to buildit up.
“But I’ve also had a lot of events … where I really feltgood about my game and walked off the course knowing that Igave it my all, and really played my rear end off, but just gotbeat.
“I want to go out and win a golf tournament,” added the13-times PGA Tour winner.
“That’s what we play golf for. That’s what I practise hardfor, and I haven’t been able to do that in over two-and-a-halfyears.”
Ireland’s Padraig Harrington, who held a one-stroke leadovernight, slipped back with a 72 to share sixth place at sevenunder with Briton Luke Donald (67) and American Jeff Maggert(70). (Editing by Greg Stutchbury; To query or comment on this storyemail sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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