Elvin Gonzales, president of the Puerto Rico Golf Association, presents the George Teale Trophy to Jamaica's victorious team of (from left) Tiffany Terrier, Jodi Barrow and Maggie Lyn at the Caymanas Golf and Country Club, yesterday. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
GRAND BLANC, Michigan (AP):
Tiger Woods got up early yesterday to finish his second round, and promptly hit one of his worst shots in years.
By the end of the third round, he was in a familiar position after stringing together fantastic shots from tee to green.
Woods closed in on his second straight victory, birdieing two of the last three holes for his third straight 6-under 66 and a two-stroke lead in the Buick Open.
He surged to the top of the leaderboard with a birdie at No. 16 and caught a break on the last hole, helping him pull away from a pack of players having their way with Warwick Hills.
Woods' tee shot on 18 went way left and ricocheted off a spectator and into the fairway. Woods thanked the fan by giving him a signed glove, and ended up making a 7-footer for birdie.
"That guy is going to have a bad bruise on his hand," Woods said. "He really took one for the team."
Robert Allenby, Lucas Glover and Scott Verplank were tied for second after 66s. Two-time defending champion Vijay Singh (68) was three strokes behind in a group of five that included Vaughn Taylor, who matched the third-round tournament record with a 63.
"It's the type of golf course that you can shoot anything," Allenby said. "Last year, I shot 7 under the last eight holes to finish fourth. It shows you that you're never really out of it."
20-for-20
Woods is 20-for-20 when leading tournaments by more than one shot and is 35-of-38 when leading or tied entering a final round.
If the 30-year-old Woods wins his second Buick Open today, it will be his 50th PGA Tour victory - making him the youngest to reach the milestone.
He is playing in his first tournament since his emotional win at the British Open and before he goes for his 12th major at the PGA Championship in two weeks.
