American Dustin Johnson surged past overnight leader Retief Goosen to grab a four-shot lead in Saturday’s third round at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.
Two strokes off the pace overnight, the long-hitting Johnson fired a sparkling five-under-par 67 in blustery, damp conditions at Poppy Hills, one of three venues being used this week.
While Goosen slipped back with a 74 after struggling off the tee on the more difficult Spyglass Hill layout, Johnson birdied four of the last nine holes for a 15-under total of 201.
Canadian left-hander Mike Weir carded a 69 at Spyglass Hill to lie second, a stroke in front of twice US Open champion Goosen, who is hunting his first PGA Tour title in more than three years.
Straight-hitting Bob Estes shot a seven-birdie 67 at Spyglass Hill to end the day at nine under, level with fellow American Mark Calcavecchia (71).
”I got off to a little bit of a rough start,” Johnson told reporters after piling up six birdies and a lone bogey on another cool day on the picturesque Monterey Peninsula.
”I hit a few bad shots, but my short game was very good. I chipped it close and made the putts, so that kept me going.
”I hit some good shots coming in, I just couldn’t make any putts. Then I made a good one on the last for birdie,” he added, referring to a slick, curling seven-footer at the par-five 18th.
Same strategy
Strong winds and heavy rain are forecast for Sunday’s final round on the Pebble Beach Golf Links but Johnson plans to maintain the same strategy that has served him well so far.
”I’m not going to change my game plan at all,” the 24-year-old said. ”Obviously everyone is going to be playing in the same weather, so if it’s difficult for me, it’s difficult for everyone.”
Johnson, who won his maiden PGA Tour title at last year’s Turning Stone Resort Championship, trimmed Goosen’s overnight advantage to one with a birdie at the par-five fourth.
The South African then surrendered the outright lead by bogeying the par-five 14th, dropping back to 11 under.
Johnson collected his only bogey by three-putting at the par-four eighth but recovered immediately with a birdie at the par-five ninth, reaching the turn in one-under 35.
Goosen, who has not won on the PGA Tour since the 2005 International, responded with a birdie at the 18th to regain a one-stroke cushion before Johnson took control.
A run of three consecutive birdies from the par-five 10th put the American three ahead and Goosen then bogeyed the sixth to trail by four.
Johnson, who tied for seventh at last year’s Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in his rookie season, signed off with his seven-foot birdie putt at the last to get to 15 under.
The cut fell at two-under 214, with 68 professionals in the 180-strong field qualifying for Sunday’s final round. Three-times winner Phil Mickelson advanced right on the number after carding a 71 at Pebble Beach.
Among those missing out were 2004 champion Vijay Singh of Fiji, after a 75, and triple major winner Padraig Harrington of Ireland (71). – Reuters