Lake buena vista, November 15: George McNeill closed with a double-bogey on Saturday, but still kept a share of the lead alongside three other players in the third round of the $7.4 million PGA event at Disney World.
McNeill, who was five adrift at the start of the round, carded a three-under 69 that left him tied on 203 with England’s Justin Rose, Sweden’s Mathias Gronberg and Justin Leonard.
Rose carded a 69, Gronberg shot a 66 and Leonard posted a 71.
Australia’s Nick O’Hern (66) and Sweden’s Carl Pettersson (67) were a further shot back on 204.
“I felt back in the tournament, and I felt like it was going to be us three guys fighting it out,” Rose said. “Then all of a sudden now we’re in a tournament where it’s a complete logjam.”
McNeill had a roller-coaster of a round that included two early bogeys but improved with two eagles.
McNeill sank a 34-foot putt for eagle on the 10th and made a 30-footer for another eagle on the 14th.
“I can’t remember the last time I made two eagles in a round,” said McNeill, who won the 2007 Frys.com Open for his lone tour title. “So I was pretty excited about those.”
But he lost a chance to take the outright lead into the final round when he gave back three strokes on the final two holes.
After a bogey at 17, McNeill’s drive at 18 was out of play. He took a drop, and eventually missed a 10-foot bogey putt.
Overnight leader Leonard led by five after five holes. But any thoughts of a runaway ended at 11, where he bounced his drive off the cart path and into the water en route to a bogey.
“There’s three or four or five or eight of us tied,” Leonard quipped. “Don’t really know what to expect Sunday. I think with it bunched up as it is, it’s going to take a really good round.”
The final event of the season is pressure packed for those trying to secure their cards for next season by finishing in the top 125 on the money list.
Rich Beem, the 2002 PGA Champion, was among those in danger. He carded a 68, but is projected to finish No. 128 on the money list unless he improves in the final round.
In contrast, Rose said there was, for once, no pressure at the top.
“I think you almost don’t want to think that you’re leading because I certainly don’t see any pressure,” said Rose, who is seeking his first US tour victory. “I don’t feel like I’m leading the tournament because there are so many guys around the lead.”
—Agencies