Pampling surges clear as Woods struggles at Bay Hill

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

NEW YORK, Mar 19 (Reuters) Australia's Rod Pampling climbed into the lead after the third round the Bay Hill Invitational in Orlando after a steady five-under 67 while four-times winner Tiger Woods slipped out of contention.

Pampling, who began the day one shot behind overnight leader Lucas Glover yesterday, mixed six birdies with a single bogey to finish with a three-day total of 14-under 202 and a four-shot cushion over Glover and Britons Darren Clarke and Greg Owen going into Sunday's final round.

Clarke carded the round of day, firing a sizzling nine-under 63 to rocket into contention to join Owen and Glover at 10-under 206.

The 37-year-old Clarke got his day off to a brilliant start, picking up shots on his opening two holes before reeling off six straight birdies from the ninth in a bogey-free round.

Owen mixed seven birdies with a pair of bogeys, including one at the first, on his way to a five-under 67 while Glover settled for an even par 72 after opening with back-to-back 67s.

For the third consecutive day, Woods has failed to display the form that has carried him to three wins in his first five tournament starts this year, labouring to a one-under 71 for the second consecutive day.

It marked the third consecutive round the world number one has failed to break 70 on one of his favourite courses.

Chasing a record fifth Bay Hill title, Woods was unable to mount one of his third-round charges, mixing three birdies with two bogeys to sit 10 shots off the lead at four-under 212.

South African Ernie Els, who became the only non-American to triumph at Bay Hill with his victory in 1998, also faded from contention struggling to a two-over 74 dropping him to two-under 214.

Fiji's Vijay Singh, however, did make a move carding his best round of the week with a bogey free four-under 68 to get within sight of the leaders at six-under 210.

REUTERS VJ RAI0546

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