Sergio Garcia left a world-class field in his wake by making eight birdies in his first 15 holes for a 5-under 67 that gave him a six-shot lead in the Wachovia Championship on Saturday.
Except for a few wayward tee shots into the trees, Garcia was nearly flawless from tee-to-green, and even better with his putter. He pulled away with three straight birdies along the back nine, and refused to let the brutal finishing holes stop him on his way to a 12-under 204.
D.J. Trahan, a 24-year-old rookie, did his best to challenge Garcia until stumbling on the back nine to a 71. He was at 6-under 210, along with Vijay Singh and Jim Furyk.
Furyk, in his best performance since wrist surgery a year ago, had a 69 and will be paired with the 25-year-old Spaniard on Sunday. He wasn't holding out much hope.
"He's lapping the field right now," Furyk said. "The golf tournament is in his hands; he's going to determine who the winner is. He goes out and shoots 70, you can hand him the trophy."
Singh played in the final group with Garcia on Saturday and was no match, shooting a 71.
Nick Price had a 69 and was at 211.
Phil Mickelson had a 73 and was at 1-over 217.
It was only the third time Garcia has held a 54-hole lead on the US PGA Tour, although never one this big. The other two were at the 2001 Buick Classic and the Byron Nelson Championship last year, both times by two shots. He won both.
No one expects anything different this time.
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