Golf-Young Wood on course for maiden win at Wentworth (Reuters)
May 22, 2010
* Mop-haired Briton two shots clear at PGA Championship
* Karlsson tied for second after course record 62
(adds detail, quotes)
By Tony Jimenez
VIRGINIA WATER, England, May 22 (Reuters) – Chris Wood, whoburst on to the scene with top-five finishes at the 2008 and2009 British Opens, was in pole position to seize his maidenvictory after the PGA Championship third round on Saturday.
The tall, mop-haired Briton rolled in a 25-foot birdie puttat the 16th before playing a delicate greenside bunker shot towithin inches of the cup at the last to save his par and recorda 67 for 205, eight under par.
That left Wood, 22, two ahead of countryman Danny Willett(70) and Swede Robert Karlsson, who after flying home to Monacoon Friday believing he had missed the cut, fired a course record62 having rushed back in time for his 0855 teeoff at Wentworth.
Wood, who started his round much later in the day, describedKarlsson’s performance as “pretty awesome”.
“I couldn’t quite believe it when I saw it on theleaderboard by the practice putting green,” the 6-foot-5Englishman told reporters on another baking hot day at theEuropean Tour’s flagship event.
“I looked at his card and kept seeing birdies.”
Wood played alongside Padraig Harrington and said it was abig help to partner the triple major winner.
“I never really felt like I played my best,” said theyoungster who finished tied fifth in the 2008 Open and jointthird at the same championship a year later. “I just scoredreally well today.
“I played with the ultimate grinder (Harrington). No matterhow he plays he never gives up and you sort of look up to aplayer like that.”
GOOD RESULTS
Wood said he was keen to achieve his breakthrough victory inhis second full year on the tour.
“I have had some good results but everyone’s looking towin,” he said. “I feel my game’s been there but it’s just notquite happened.”
Asked if he would cut his long, blond hair if he landed thefirst prize of 750,000 euros ($937,800) on Sunday, Wood laughed:“No, the girls love it. That is what’s going to make me keepit.”
Karlsson managed only three hours sleep inbetween his longround trip but proved he was wide awake, racking up nine birdiesin a flawless effort to establish the lowest round in the PGAChampionship, dating back to 1955.
“It was quite funny at breakfast because (Dane) Soren Hansensaid, ‘This trip has a 63 or something written all over it’,”said the 2008 European number one.
Karlsson was livid with himself 24 hours earlier after adouble-bogey seven at the 18th left him on three-over 145, righton the cut mark.
“It feels like I definitely got another chance today,” saidthe 40-year-old. “I was sure I was out but in a situation whereI just made the cut, I could just go out and play and enjoy it.”
Briton Luke Donald, the overnight leader, carded a 72 as hefinished in fourth place on 208, two ahead of a cluster ofplayers including Harrington and holder Paul Casey.
South African Ernie Els, who redesigned the new-look WestCourse, wrecked his title hopes by slumping to a 76 for 215.
(Editing by Justin Palmer; To query or comment on this storyemail sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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