Zach Johnson had to overcome a weather delay to finish his round before he established a two-stroke lead over an enigmatic Tiger Woods after the third round at the Quail Hollow Championship on Saturday.
Johnson, who had to complete the final hole after a weather delay of more than an hour, parred the last to shoot 68 for 11-under 205, two ahead of Woods, who bogeyed the final two holes to hand Johnson the lead.
He carded 70 to slip into a tie for second at nine-under 207 with fellow Americans Lucas Glover (68) and George McNeill (70).
PHOTO: AP
Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, recovered from a poor start that included two bogeys in the first four holes.
Woods’ problems began at the par-three 17th, where, perhaps guarding against the water on the left, he pushed a seven-iron that settled on the right edge of the green, 18m from the hole, with a ridge to negotiate.
He subsequently three-putted and then compounded his misery by missing a 2m putt at the last.
New Zealand teenager Danny Lee threatened several times during the day, but finished poorly, dropping three shots in the final two holes to shoot 70 and fall five strokes from the lead.
The US amateur champion pulled a seven-iron into the water at the 17th for a double-bogey and missed a short par putt at the last.
■SPANISH OPEN
REUTERS, GIRONA, SPAIN
Former Ryder Cup player Thomas Levet, looking for his fifth European Tour title, maintained his two-stroke lead after the Spanish Open third round on Saturday.
The 40-year-old Frenchman, clear of the stiff back that worried him for the first two days, carded a one-under 71 on a tricky, breezy afternoon at the PGA Catalunya Stadium course to finish on 14-under 202.
Late developer Stuart Davis of Britain, a tour rookie at 35, shrugged off a double-bogey to fire a 67 and climb into second place.
Holder Peter Lawrie of Ireland (71) was third on 205 despite dropping a shot at the last. Sharing fourth spot on 207 were Briton Stephen Dodd and Paraguayan Fabrizio Zanotti.
Soren Hansen, who broke the course record with a first-round 63, looked as though he would provide Levet with serious opposition until the Dane faltered badly at the ninth hole for the second day running.
Hansen, who was two strokes behind leader Levet overnight, drove on to a cart path and his ball bounced into trees. From a poor lie he could only move the ball forward a couple of meters and he proceeded to take a triple-bogey seven on the way to a 76 for 209.
Hansen returned a six at the ninth on Friday.
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