• Home
• About
• SiteMap

• PGA Golf

Subscribe

A Lesson Learned: Winners play to win (PGA.com)

Ricky Fowlers decision to lay up on the pivotal 15th hole proved to be quite costly. (photo: Getty Images)

Fenway Park was transposed to the desert enclosing the most raucous par three in the world. Once again the sixteenth hole at the Phoenix Open did not disappoint. However, unbeknownst to the majority of the thirty thousands screamin fans, the turning point of the week took place on the hole prior.

So answer this one golf fans, what do Tim Clark (2010 Bob Hope), Michael Sim (2010 Farmers Insurance Classic), and Rickie Fowler (2010 Phoenix Open) now all have in common? They have all trailed the lead by one shot on the back nine of the final round, and they all laid up on reachable par fives coming down the stretch. Oh, and they also all lost by one. This is becoming a course management trend which defies golf logic in my opinion. Players are forgetting why they are in the last group and what got them there, making birdies and eagles! When you are trailing by one on a reachable par five there is no decision to make. It is a mandatory go!

Let's look at this past week. On hole no. 15, with water twenty yards short of the green, Rickie Fowler layed up from 230 yards out. Fowler can bomb it as a young twenty-one year old, this was very reachable for him. To compound matters, he hit to an in-between yardage, missed the green with his third shot and needed to get up and in for just a par. He never gave himself a chance at birdie!

Consider the other scenario. Say he hits his second shot in the water. He could drop to a yardage of his choice and still get up and down for par. This also gives him a chance for the much better flip side, one where he flags a three iron, makes eagle and goes on to win the tournament. Think about the number-one player in the world. What would he have done? In fact, think of any of the top twenty golfers in the world. They all would have gone for it. Why? Because they all know how to win tournamnets, to take advantage of opportunities as they present themselves, and this was one of those opportunities.

Golf is all about second guessing, second chances and learning from your mistakes. There is no doubt Ricky Fowler will be multiple PGA Tour winner, we are just going to have to see what he has learned from his past experiences.

As for the tournament, congratulations to Hunter Mahan. He certainly earned his second PGA Tour win, shooting bogey free golf – and consecutive 65s – on the weekend to win. But this week's A Lesson Learned is more about being aware of your situation and playing to win, not laying up safe when the tournament is in your grasp.

Greg Enholm is the PGA Head Golf Professional of The Resort at Red Hawk in Sparks, Nevada. He teaches a wide varied of skill levels from beginning golfers to the most accomplished players. He has been very active with the PGA of America and his local PGA Section, taking part in the Play Golf America campaign and as a member of the PGA Presidential Council. He has played in one PGA TOUR event and was a four-year letterman on New Mexico State University's men's golf team as well as First Team All-Conference member. Greg can be contacted via e-mail at genholm@resortatredhawk.com or through the resort's website www.resortatredhawk.com.

Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf 10

Daily Wrap-up, Round 4: Waste Management Phoenix Open (PGATOUR.com)

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP)—Hunter Mahan won the Waste Management Phoenix Open for his second PGA TOUR title, coming from four strokes back to beat Rickie Fowler by a shot in a 1-2 finish for former Oklahoma State players.

"It's always a little better to lose to a Cowboy," Fowler said.

The 27-year-old Mahan had an eagle and a pair of birdies in a late four-hole span Sunday to finish at 16-under 268. Mahan, whose first victory came at the 2007 Travelers Championship, closed with consecutive bogey-free 6-under 65s.

He's the eighth U.S.-born player still in his 20s to win more than one tournament.

Fowler, just 21 and a TOUR rookie, had a final-round 68 for the second runner-up finish of his young career, both of them in Arizona.

In his second PGA TOUR event last Oct. 25, Fowler lost in a three-way playoff to Troy Matteson in the Frys.com Open just down the road at the Grayhawk Golf Club.

South Korea's Y.E. Yang also shot a 65 to finish at 14 under, two off the pace. Last year's PGA Championship winner, Yang led until his tee shot went in the water at No. 17.

Mathew Goggin, Chris Couch and Charles Howell III tied for fourth at 13 under.

Third-round leader Brandt Snedeker struggled mightily with a 78 to wind up far back at 7 under.

The win was worth $1.08 million and 500 FedExCup points.

Although he hasn't won, Mahan has played well the past two years. He played on the 2008 Ryder Cup team and had six top-10s in 2009, including a runner-up finish at the AT&T National.

"It's just finding a way to win. I just haven't been able to do it," he said. "So obviously it feels great to get off the year on my fifth tournament to win. It gives me a lot of confidence in myself that I'm doing the right things in my game, and it feels great, it really does."

Heavy rain fell overnight at TPC Scottsdale and sprinkles lingered in the morning. But the rain subsided by the time the leaders teed off at noon.

The tournament, in its 75th year, was known as the FBR Open but returned to its longtime Phoenix Open name when Waste Management Inc. took over as the title sponsor this year.

The poor weather held the estimated final-round crowd to just under 44,000, well off last year's 60,000-plus. That brought the week's total attendance to nearly 426,000, down from 470,000 a year ago at the rowdy event that always draws the biggest crowds on TOUR.

Yang, whose PGA Championship victory made him the first Asian-born golfer to win a major, eagled No. 10, then reeled off four consecutive birdies to take the lead at 15 under through 15 holes.

Trouble came, though, at No. 17, where his tee shot bounced into the water. Yang's 25-foot putt for par was on line but stopped an inch short of the cup, and the bogey left him at 14 under.

Mahan, meanwhile, hit his second shot on the par-5 13th 250 yards within 7 feet and made the eagle putt to reach 14 under.

His 18-foot birdie putt on the par-4 14th moved him ahead of Yang at 15 under.

FedExCup facts With this win, Hunter Mahan:• Earned 500 FedExCup points• Moved into sixth in FedExCup standings• Is 223 points behind of Dustin Johnson

The clincher came at the notorious 16th, the par 3 surrounded by bleachers filled with noisy, irreverent fans who cheer and boo with equal enthusiasm.

Mahan's tee shot caught the edge of the green and he made the subsequent 14-foot putt to regain the lead at 16 under.

At the 15th, the open desert course's final par 5, Fowler chose to play conservative and lay his shot up rather than go for the green, which is surrounded by water. He said he felt he was a bit too far away from the pin to go for it, considering he was just one shot back and had what he felt were good birdie chances on Nos. 16 and 17.

"I felt that instead of bringing trouble into play … I took the safe route," Fowler said.

That left him with a par, and he missed birdie putts of 14, 17 and 30 feet on the last three holes.

Mahan sent his girlfriend to his car after he found a crack in his driver early in his round.

"Luckily the rules staff ran her out to the car and she got it before the next tee shot," Mahan said, "because the next hole is a par 5. I really didn't want to hit a 3-wood off the par 5."

Sunday's BestEASIEST HOLE TOUGHEST HOLE The par-5 15th hole was the easiest with a Sunday scoring average of 4.372.EAGLES: 2 BIRDIES: 47 PARS: 27 BOGEYS: 2OTHERS: 0 The par-4 11th hole was toughest with a Sunday scoring average of 4.308.EAGLES: 1BIRDIES: 4PARS: 49 BOGEYS: 18OTHERS: 6

INSIDE THE ROPES WITH THE PGA TOUR NETWORK PGA TOUR Network correspondent Michael Collins offers these observations from Sunday. Listen to PGA TOUR Live coverage on XM 146/SIRIUS 209 or right here at PGATOUR.COM. Well, it just wouldn't be fitting to end the West Coast Swing if we didn't have a cold rainy day. And that's exactly how the day started, forcing tournament officials to play lift, clean, and place (preferred lies) for the final round. The rain stopped before the leaders teed off but the temperature never got above 56 degrees.

Congrats to Hunter Mahan for the win AND the round of the day with a 65. But it's the story of Chris Couch that inspires me. Chris had shoulder surgery two years ago. The shoulder didn't heal properly the first year, so his rehab took an extra year. His 3-under 68 on Sunday got him a tie for 4th and some much needed confidence going into the rest of the year. He has to make just over $800,000 to keep his card. Keep it up my friend.

Because of the weather and the new date on the schedule, I thought that Sunday on my favorite hole may be a bit of a letdown. I thought wrong. The stands were packed, the crowd was as energetic as ever and the players were themselves. I love seeing Y.E. Yang fighting to win the tournament down the stretch. Though he hit his tee shot into the water on No. 16, he still walked over to the grandstands and threw a couple balls to the crowd. And even when he missed his par putt, he still threw his ball into the stands at the green to the delight of the fans.

I can't wait to head to Florida next week. As much as I have enjoyed the wet West Coast weather (NOT), I'm excited to return to my home state. Bermuda grass, Cuban food and hurricanes. Ok, scratch the hurricanes, but y'all know what I mean.

Going for the Green Waste Management presents the "Going for the Green" closest-to-the-pin contest. Waste Management will donate $25,000 to Keep America Beautiful in the name of the player who is closest to the pin at the par-3 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale this week. The distance from the hole each day will be added together to reach a cumulative total. Of the proceeds, 50 percent will go to the local Keep Phoenix Beautiful chapter and 50 percent will go to Keep America Beautiful's national Think Green grant. Rank Name Distance Round 1 Rickie Fowler 45 feet, 3 inches 4 2 Scott Verplank 48 feet, 9 inches 4 3 Ryan Moore 54 feet, 10 inches 4 4 Johnson Wagner 59 feet, 4 inches 4 5 Mark Wilson 60 feet, 8 inches 4 Live Essentials Follow every shot with our newest application The only place on the Internet for real-time live scoring Listen to expert commentary on the PGA TOUR Network News, notes, stats and analysis during each round

Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf 10

Quinn wins Nationwide event in Panama

PANAMA CITY (AP)—Fran Quinn won the Panama Championship for his fourth careerNationwide Tour title, shooting a 1-over 71 for a two-stroke victory over BrianSmock.

Quinn had a tournament-record 15-under 265 total at Panama Golf Club

U.S golfer Brian Smock pitches… AP – Feb 28, 7:03 pm EST U.S. golfer Fran Quinn blasts … AP – Feb 28, 6:39 pm EST U.S. golfer Fran Quinn kisses … AP – Feb 28, 6:38 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 2; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.d00749c76ccc4a56b61419019bbef3f3.panama_nationwide_golf_pan102.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=275&hc=306&q=70&sig=13wkqhCvt3HBKvCtG4mRVw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100228/capt.073859b4497943e89c7d229957cb4b24.panama_nationwide_golf_pan101.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=267&hc=297&q=70&sig=hQCiF8RRQ.eQ8pw2zDJIMQ--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 3 Golf Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();

“I made it interesting for everyone,” said Quinn, the 44-year-oldMassachusetts native who took a five-stroke lead into the final round.

“I’ve never had a big lead like that before and I just put it on cruisecontrol instead of trying to keep making birdies.”

Tommy Gainey (67) finished third at 10 under, and Kevin Chappell (67), D.J.Brigman (69), Marco Dawson (70), Mark Anderson (72) and Argentina’s Julio Zapata(73) tied for fourth, seven strokes behind Quinn.

Quinn opened with rounds of 66, 66 and 62, then held on as the wind pickedup in 90-degree heat Sunday.

“I started out and just striped it,” Quinn said. “I played really wellthe first seven holes, but missed four putts inside of 6 to 8 feet. I missedputts and duffed a chip on a par 5. I felt like I could have been 4 under atthat point but was 2 over. I think I held onto the steering wheel a little tootight.”

Smock was the only player to put any real heat on Quinn.

“When someone has a lead like that, the only thing you can do is to try andapply some pressure,” Smock said. “You can’t make bogeys out here. If you doyou just make it easier on him. I think I was four shots back starting the backnine and I thought if I could shoot 3-under I might have a chance.”

Quinn, who finished No. 25 on the Nationwide Tour money list last year toearn a PGA Tour card, will return to the big tour next week for the HondaClassic.

Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf 10

Live Report: Waste Management Phoenix Open, Round 4 (PGATOUR.com)

Mark Wilson birdied his last four holes to move into a share of the 36-hole lead.

GIVING IT THE GAS (1:30 p.m.): While most everyone else is stuck in neutral, Tom Gillis has made a quantum leap up the leaderboard. He's birdied three of his first four holes and is 11 under, three shots behind Brandt Snedeker, who tees off at 2 p.m. ET.

Live Report essentials PGATOUR.COM's The Live Report has all the news and notes from the Waste Management Phoenix Open, and we'll be providing updates all day long for each round, so check back often. (All timestamps are Eastern Time.) LIVE SCORING: Shot Tracker | Leaderboard | LISTEN: PGA TOUR Network | RESPOND: Facebook | Twitter | FanZone

Gillis has played in 26 countries during a career that has spanned two decades. He earned his TOUR card for 2010 by finishing fifth on the Nationwide Tour money list last year. He was first in birdie average, second in scoring and tied for second in putting average while earning more than $325,000, the third best season financially of his career.—Helen Ross

GOING SOUTH (12:55 p.m.): Ryan Moore, who had started the third round one stroke off the lead at 10 under, continues to head in the wrong direction on Sunday.

He ran into trouble on the back nine in the third round—making two bogeys and a double bogey in a three-hole stretch—and Sunday has brought more of the same. He was seven strokes back at the end of 54 holes.

Moore, whostarted on the back nine Sunday, just made another double on the 11th hole, his second one there this week, and bogeyed No. 12. A birdie at the par-5 13th has gotten him back to 5 under for the tournament but he's well off the pace now.—Helen Ross

RAIN SUBSIDES (12:40 p.m.): The rain arrived later than expected Saturday evening. The skies were clear and the moon shone full over the nearby mountains as the festivities wound down at the Bird's Nest after the third round was completed.

By midnight, though, the rain had begun with a vengeance and it continued to fall—albeit lightly—as the players with early tee times embarked on their third rounds. TPC Scottsdale had absorbed .64 inches by 9 a.m. local time.

The clouds were lifting, though, and blue skies have begun to peak out. The temperature should top out around 60 and the winds will be southwesterly from 10-15 mph.—Helen Ross

Groups We're Watching Tee time Players   2 p.m. ET,No. 1 Brandt Snedeker, Scott Piercy, Matt Every Snedeker has the most experience of the group and will be trying for his second career win. 1:50 p.m. ET,No. 1 Rickie Fowler, Camilo Villegas, Mark CalcavecchiaFowler and Villegas begin the final round two and three shots back, respectively, but both have gone low this week. 1:50 p.m. ET,No. 10 J.B. Holmes, Phil Mickelson, Scott VerplankThis might be the day's most popular group with the long-hitting Holmes and local favorite Mickelson. MORE ROUND 3: Tee times | Inside the field | Inside the courses | FANTASY GOLF: Power Rankings | Fantasy Insider | Play our game … free! Going for the Green Waste Management presents the "Going for the Green" closest-to-the-pin contest. Waste Management will donate $25,000 to Keep America Beautiful in the name of the player who is closest to the pin at the par-3 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale this week. The distance from the hole each day will be added together to reach a cumulative total. Of the proceeds, 50 percent will go to the local Keep Phoenix Beautiful chapter and 50 percent will go to Keep America Beautiful's national Think Green grant. Going for the Green—current standings Rank Player Distance Round 1 Rickie Fowler 30 feet, 8 inches 3 2 Mark Wilson 35 feet, 3 inches 3 3 Scott Verplank 41 feet, 9 inches 3 4 Zach Johnson 42 feet, 8 inches 3 5 Ryan Moore 48 feet, 3 inches 3 Play TPC Scottsdale TPC SCOTTSDALE: The 162-yard 16th will look a lot different without 100,000 people around, but the experience will still be worthwhile. For a limited time, take advantage of reduced pricing for golf vacation packages with arrival before April 4, 2010. With a savings of approximately $150 per golfer, there is no reason why you would want to pass up the opportunity to escape for some Scottsdale golf and play where the pros played during the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Click here for package information, tee times, more | Book a golf package Live Essentials Follow every shot with our newest application The only place on the Internet for real-time live scoring Listen to expert commentary on the PGA TOUR Network News, notes, stats and analysis during each round

Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf 10

Laura Davies wins New Zealand Women’s Open

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP)—Laura Davies of England won the New ZealandWomen’s Open for her 73rd worldwide title, shooting a 4-under 69 on Sunday for atwo-stroke victory over three players.

The 46-year-old Davies had a 9-under 279 total on the Pegasus Golf Clubcourse in the event sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour and Australian LadiesProfessional Golf.

Sweden’s Pernilla Lindberg (63), Norway’s Marianne Skarpnord (68) andAustralia’s Sarah Kemp (71) tied for second.

France’s Gwladys Nocera (67) and England’s Georgina Simpson (69) followed at5 under, and Canada’s Lorie Kane (71) topped a group at 4 under.

Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf 10

Miyazato wins second straight event

SINGAPORE (AP)—Ai Miyazato won the HSBC Champions on Sunday to become thefirst LPGA Tour player in 44 years to sweep the first two events of a season,closing with 3-under 69 for a two-stroke victory over Cristie Kerr.

Miyazato, the 24-year-old Japanese star who won the LPGA Thailand last week,took the lead with a birdie on the par-4 16th—a hole she played in 5 under forthe week—and parred the final two holes to finish at 10 under on Tanah Merah’sGarden Course.

Other Popular Sports Stories Tiger conquers another continent NFL players extraordinary act of kindness Stage set for boxings dream fight; will it happen?

A 15-time winner on the Japanese tour, Miyazato earned $195,000 for herthird career LPGA Tour victory—all outside North America. She won the EvianMasters last year in France for her first LPGA Tour title.

Marilynn Smith was last player to win the first two events in a season,accomplishing the feat in 1966.

Kerr birdied No. 16 to take the lead at 10 under, but bogeyed the final twoholes for a 68. Jiyai Shin, the winner last year, closed with a 67 to tie forthird at 7 under with Suzann Pettersen (69), Song-Hee Kim (67) and Yani Tseng(69).

Juli Inkster, the 49-year-old Hall of Famer who began the round tied withMiyazato for the lead, shot a 74 to tie for ninth at 5 under.

Michelle Wie had a 70 to tie for 15th at 4 under.

Top-ranked Lorena Ochoa, tied for the first-round lead after a 68, closedwith rounds of 79, 73 and 72 to tie for 38th at 4 over. She won the inauguralevent in 2008.

Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf 10

Daily Wrap-up, Round 3: Waste Management Phoenix Open (PGATOUR.com)

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP)—Brandt Snedeker is back to playing like the rising young PGA TOUR star he was supposed to be.

The 29-year-old Tennessean rolled in his sixth birdie of the day on No. 17 and finished at 14-under 199 for a one-shot lead over Scott Piercy in the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

Snedeker shot a 66, while Piercy had a pair of eagles en route to a 65 in the third round Saturday amid a loud, rowdy crowd estimated at just over 121,000. Rickie Fowler (69) and Matt Every (68) were two back at 12 under. Camilo Villegas, who shared the lead with Mark Wilson after two rounds, birdied the last two holes to finish even for the day and 11 under for the tournament.

Wilson, Mark Calcavecchia and Lee Janzen were among nine at 10-under 203.

The 49-year-old Calcavecchia has won the Waste Management Phoenix Open three times, in 1989, 1992 and 2001. The last of his 13 PGA TOUR victories came in 2007.

The sky was overcast with a threat of rain at TPC Scottsdale, and the wind kicked up late in the day. Perhaps that's why the crowd was more than 40,000 shy of the estimated 164,000 who attended on Saturday a year ago. The record is 170,000 in 2008.

But the scene was as wild as usual at the notorious 16th hole, where bleachers surround the par 3 and fans have special chants for virtually every golfer. The good shots draw lusty cheers, the bad ones loud boos.

"It was crazy," Snedeker said. "You've got to take it with a grain of salt and realize golf needs that. We need people out here having fun, being excited about being at a golf tournament. If you can't take it for one hole, good God, get over yourself and have some fun."

The same could be said of Snedeker's young career.

He was the 2007 PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year, but his victory at the Wyndham Championship that season remains his lone win.

He struggled early last year, missing the cut 12 of 26 times and was sidelined eight weeks by a rib injury.

"You just listen to your hype," Snedeker said. "You hear people talking about how good you are and how much you could be the next big thing, you should be winning each week. And the minute you think that you should be winning the golf tournament each week, you're completely out of bounds."

The turnaround, he said, came last July at the AT&T National, where he tied for fifth.

"Literally like a flipped switch," Snedeker said, "and I said, 'I'm sick and tired of this.' I don't care if I have to quit playing golf, I'm not going to keep playing the way I've been playing. And ever since then I've been playing good."

He tied for second Jan. 31 at Torrey Pines, one shot behind winner Ben Crane.

Snedeker's only bogey Saturday, on the par-4 14th, was the most critical hole of the round, he said.

He pulled his second shot into the left bunker. He failed to clear the bunker with his third shot and, with a bad lie, knocked his fourth shot 32 feet past the pin. Then he nailed the putt.

"That says a lot about where my head is right now," Snedeker said. "… It completely changed the way I walked on the 15th tee, feeling excited, confident, everything still going good."

Snedeker has led after three rounds only once before, at the 2007 Buick Open.

Piercy, in search of his first victory on TOUR, will be in the final group at Phoenix for the second year in a row. He was a shot off the lead going into the last round a year ago and tied for sixth.

Piercy said he learned watching eventual winner Kenny Perry play that final round.

"He made a ton of pars. He didn't make any bogeys, or very few bogeys, and then when he made a birdie, that birdie was so huge," Piercy said.

He said it showed him "rather than put on the gas pedal the whole time, maybe drive with a little bit of caution."

Piercy had a two eagles, the second one a tap-in on the par-4, 390-yard 10th hole, when his tee shot came to rest 10 inches from the pin.

The scene around the 16th was madness, with the mostly young crowd packed elbow-to-elbow, beer in hand.

People lined up to get into the bleachers as if it was some trendy Scottsdale night club.

When Snedeker teed off, fans nearest the tee shouted "gentleman, scholar, athlete," the golfer's high school motto.

Saturday's BestEASIEST HOLE TOUGHEST HOLE The 554-yard par-5 third hole was the easiest with a Saturday scoring average of 4.641.EAGLES: 2 BIRDIES: 30 PARS: 40 BOGEYS: 6OTHERS: 0 The 470-yard par-4 eighth was toughest with a Saturday scoring average of 4.179.EAGLES: 0BIRDIES: 10PARS: 46 BOGEYS: 20OTHERS: 2

INSIDE THE ROPES WITH THE PGA TOUR NETWORK PGA TOUR Network correspondent Michael Collins offers these observations from Saturday. Listen to PGA TOUR Live coverage on XM 146/SIRIUS 209 or right here at PGATOUR.COM.

As expected, the scoring for the third round was not quite as strong as the wind came in later in the afternoon. Rickie Fowler made nine straight 4s on the front nine and at one point was 9 under, but a nice eagle at No. 13 bounced him right back into contention.

Saturday is usually the craziest day on the 16th hole. This Saturday didn't disappoint, and the craziest action happened on the 10th green, which happens to back up to the 16th. Scott Piercy hit a drive that bounced off the cart path to the left of the fairway and then hopped up on the green, hit the flagstick and stopped seven inches from the hole. Nice eagle on a hole that's only 403 yards on the scorecard.

With rain in the overnight forecast and the wind expected to die down, expect Sunday to be a shootout. I'll say this now—I expect someone on this leaderboard to get his first win on the PGA TOUR Sunday. I'm not saying who, since I don't want to jinx him, but I'm thinking J.B. Holmes made this his first win on TOUR, why not … whew, I almost let it slip.

I'm also anxious to see how big Sunday's crowd is gonna be since this is the first time in a while they are not playing the final round on Super Bowl Sunday. I talked to my boys on the 16th tee who do the cheat sheet and homework on all the guys playing. They said they are not coming on Sunday so there may not be the same rowdiness on the tee but I'm sure there will be a bunch of people who are happy to take their place!

Going for the Green Waste Management presents the "Going for the Green" closest-to-the-pin contest. Waste Management will donate $25,000 to Keep America Beautiful in the name of the player who is closest to the pin at the par-3 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale this week. The distance from the hole each day will be added together to reach a cumulative total. Of the proceeds, 50 percent will go to the local Keep Phoenix Beautiful chapter and 50 percent will go to Keep America Beautiful's national Think Green grant. Rank Name Distance Round 1 Rickie Fowler 30 feet, 8 inches 3 2 Mark Wilson 35 feet, 3 inches 3 3 Scott Verplank 41 feet, 9 inches 3 4 Zach Johnson 42 feet, 8 inches 3 5 Ryan Moore 48 feet, 3 inches 3 Live Essentials Follow every shot with our newest application The only place on the Internet for real-time live scoring Listen to expert commentary on the PGA TOUR Network News, notes, stats and analysis during each round

Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf 10

Golf-Snedeker takes one-stroke lead at Phoenix (Reuters)

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona, Feb 27 (Reuters) – American BrandtSnedeker birdied four of his last eight holes to surge to aone-stroke lead over compatriot Scott Piercy at the PhoenixOpen on Saturday.

Snedeker withstood windy conditions for a five-under 66 toput him at 14-under for a total 199 after three rounds at TPCScottsdale.

“The back nine the wind kicked up and it was playing reallytough,” Snedeker told reporters. “But I played really good.”

The 29-year-old birdied the 11th, 13th, 15th and 17th holesfor the strong finish as he seeks his second PGA Tour victory.

“Made one mistake on 14 and was able to make a long putt tosave bogey,” Snedeker said. “Besides that, I’m rolling itgreat.”

He also had birdies at his first and seventh holes.

Piercy used eagles at three and 10 for a 65 to enterSunday’s final round at 13-under 200. That put him one strokeahead of fellow Americans Matt Every (68) and Rickie Fowler(69).

Second round co-leaders Camilo Villegas and Mark Wilsonwere less successful.

Colombian Villegas needed birdies on his final two holes tofinish at even par 71. He had four bogeys in the round to trailEvery and Fowler by a stroke.

American Wilson shot a 72 to join a group of nine at 203that includes three-time winner Mark Calcavecchia.

Calcavecchia birdied three of his four final holes tofinish at four-under 67.

“Today was basically saved on the last two holes,” said the49-year-old Calcavecchia. “I made two 30-footers after makingnothing the first 16 holes.”

Two-time champion Phil Mickelson faded to 208 with a 72.

As usual a boisterous crowd of thousands greeted golfers atthe par-three 16th.

“It was crazy,” Snedeker said, “about as insane as I’veseen it … I’m glad I made par and got out of there before Igot booed too bad.”

“I love it,” he said of the notorious hole.

“You’ve got to take it with a grain of salt and realisethat golf needs that. We need people out here having fun, beingexcited about being at a golf tournament.”

(Reporting by Gene Cherry in Salvo, North Carolina. Editingby Ian Ransom; To query or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf 10

Inkster, Miyazato lead in Singapore

SINGAPORE (AP)—America’s Juli Inkster and Ai Miyazato shot 3-under 69s onSaturday to share the third-round lead in the HSBC Women’s Champions.

The 49-year-old Inkster is trying to become the oldest winner in LPGA Tourhistory. Beth Daniel was 46 when she won the 2003 Canadian Women’s Open.

“I’d say right now I’m definitely the underdog,” said Inkster, who won thelast of her 31 tour titles in 2006. “I don’t think anybody expects me to win.”

Miyazato, the 24-year-old Japanese star who won the season-opener last weekin Thailand, moved into a tie with a 30-foot eagle putt on the 16th hole.

“It was a really long putt, but I got a really good stroke and did adown-slope putt, and it was in,” Miyazato said.

Inkster and Miyazato had 7-under 209 totals.

Momoko Ueda (68), Sun Young Yoo (71), Hee Young Park (69) and Hee-won Han(71) were two shots back, and Cristie Kerr (71) and Suzann Pettersen (72) were 4under.

Michelle Wie (69) was five strokes back along with defending champion JiyaiShin (72) and Karrie Webb (72).

Angela Stanford, tied for the second-round lead, had a triple bogey on the11th. She birdied two of her last three holes for a 74 to stay in contention at3 under.

Top-ranked Lorena Ochoa—who stumbled to a 79 in the second round—shot a73, leaving her 11 strokes back.

Miyazato said she’s looking forward to playing with Inkster in the finalround.

“Juli is like my idol,” Miyazato said. “I feel honored to play withher.”

Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf 10

Confident Snedeker leads by shot at Phoenix Open

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP)—Brandt Snedeker is back to playing like the risingyoung PGA Tour star he was supposed to be.

The 29-year-old Tennessean rolled in his sixth birdie of the day on No. 17and finished at 14-under 199 for a one-shot lead over Scott Piercy in thePhoenix Open.

Snedeker shot a 66, while Piercy had a pair of eagles en route to a 65 inthe third round Saturday amid a loud, rowdy crowd estimated at just over121,000. Many were on hand for the party as much, or more than, for thetournament.

Greg Chalmers, of Australia, h… AP – Feb 27, 6:49 pm EST Matt Every watches his putt fo… AP – Feb 27, 6:49 pm EST Ian Poulter, of England, raise… AP – Feb 27, 6:47 pm EST Robert Allenby, of Australia, … AP – Feb 27, 6:36 pm EST Rickie Fowler watches his putt… AP – Feb 27, 6:24 pm EST Scott Piercy waves to the gall… AP – Feb 27, 6:20 pm EST Brandt Snedeker watches his pu… AP – Feb 27, 6:12 pm EST Brandt Snedeker watches his ap… AP – Feb 27, 6:07 pm EST Brandt Snedeker acknowledges t… AP – Feb 27, 6:01 pm EST Scott Piercy reacts as his put… AP – Feb 27, 5:54 pm EST Rickie Fowler tees off on the … AP – Feb 27, 5:43 pm EST Camilo Villegas, of Colombia, … AP – Feb 27, 4:27 pm EST Brandt Snedeker watches his pu… AP – Feb 27, 4:17 pm EST Brandt Snedeker eyes his putt … AP – Feb 27, 4:16 pm EST Ryan Moore drops his club afte… AP – Feb 27, 4:03 pm EST Tom Lehman kisses his golf bal… AP – Feb 27, 3:56 pm EST Tom Lehman chips onto the eigh… AP – Feb 27, 3:52 pm EST Anthony Kim watches the flight… AP – Feb 27, 3:44 pm EST Camilo Villegas, of Colombia, … AP – Feb 27, 3:44 pm EST Mark Wilson watches as his chi… AP – Feb 27, 3:43 pm EST Matt Every hits out of a bunke… AP – Feb 27, 3:43 pm EST Rickie Fowler watches as his p… AP – Feb 26, 8:19 pm EST Rickie Fowler tees off on the … AP – Feb 26, 8:15 pm EST Mark Wilson watches his putt f… AP – Feb 26, 7:43 pm EST Mark Wilson tips his visor to … AP – Feb 26, 7:37 pm EST First-round leader Camilo Vill… AP – Feb 26, 7:19 pm EST Ian Poulter, of England, grins… AP – Feb 26, 6:36 pm EST Camilo Villegas, of Colombia, … AP – Feb 26, 6:24 pm EST Camilo Villegas, of Colombia, … AP – Feb 26, 6:24 pm EST Anthony Kim hits his second sh… AP – Feb 26, 6:19 pm EST Camilo Villegas, of Columbia, … AP – Feb 26, 6:19 pm EST Anthony Kim reacts to missing … AP – Feb 26, 6:04 pm EST Tom Lehman hits from the secon… AP – Feb 26, 5:52 pm EST Cameron Beckman pumps his fist… AP – Feb 26, 4:52 pm EST Camilo Villegas, of Columbia, … AP – Feb 26, 4:50 pm EST Geoff Ogilvy, of Australia, te… AP – Feb 26, 4:43 pm EST Geoff Ogilvy, of Australia, wa… AP – Feb 26, 4:38 pm EST Camilo Villegas, of Colombia, … AP – Feb 26, 4:33 pm EST First-round leader Camilo Vill… AP – Feb 26, 4:29 pm EST Defending champion Kenny Perry… AP – Feb 26, 4:23 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 39; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100227/capt.c5889c14b8ce44958dfe78600ce9ec06.phoenix_open_golf_azpc118.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=319&hc=354&q=70&sig=xnETcq0CjgdlnfgiXXilUg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100227/capt.4dfe96a4eabb4aea97f32c0e2306e98f.phoenix_open_golf_azpc121.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=325&hc=361&q=70&sig=eEZOaNzfFcA9F6DFaSHh5Q--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100227/capt.a153a2ca56ca4905ae5aad9405df23cc.phoenix_open_golf_azpc119.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=321&hc=357&q=70&sig=nOGer3u7hFQzUWHcM0vv0g--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100227/capt.58c9d3af45ae4f0ea7380be543874bb2.phoenix_open_golf_azpc117.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=305&hc=339&q=70&sig=twBTFeCqMlhSNR1oL5lw1A--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100227/capt.ec8e6a88010b43a59d62e57a2af2ffc2.phoenix_open_golf_azpc116.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=58&yc=1&wc=295&hc=328&q=70&sig=OdFZXW1Vi_hmFUWjYOXH4A--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100227/capt.b162622402de4386bd4b2e83483a9595.phoenix_open_golf_azpc115.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=318&hc=353&q=70&sig=WWsTJwJtBu61Wl5xlNBMeg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100227/capt.e5afbb8c932b4f3cbdb5b89fac6cf78e.phoenix_open_golf_azpc114.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=66&yc=1&wc=279&hc=310&q=70&sig=BUacP4dykew9VIyZPfPRKA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100227/capt.fc78087e0d764a49bf7c9a00446310b6.phoenix_open_golf_azpc113.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=329&hc=366&q=70&sig=NFmn5fyylt4JTcwIz578TQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100227/capt.9ba35aec234a4c82ba7f446dde0b6029.phoenix_open_golf_azpc112.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=317&hc=352&q=70&sig=4h0IGrmHECwJRbMawJmEIg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100227/capt.0721a0bad54d4807a2290e7b74c07eac.phoenix_open_golf_azpc111.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=316&hc=351&q=70&sig=oXhXSJA0pfBvba6_UXdeUg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100227/capt.d459fb17d22d49d08306c677b681aad1.phoenix_open_golf_azpc110.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=323&hc=359&q=70&sig=Mcm1X.09cAt2uFv7SJrzwQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100227/capt.3e9ec5b222e0480582a5da054f0f23de.phoenix_open_golf_azpc109.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=310&hc=344&q=70&sig=AWTDsC71L1Us5kiWDWUWjA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100227/capt.1c6c7cabd4b74afc943c9c076a417aea.phoenix_open_golf_azpc108.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=317&hc=352&q=70&sig=XWtG31mJFDra3WFeEreQww--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100227/capt.3a306da466b1411a9bf69a235fa7fa9b.phoenix_open_golf_azpc107.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=57&yc=1&wc=296&hc=329&q=70&sig=n914QLSRnNfXW.hM8AkYaQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100227/capt.d61e3b438f5d4b6997060fd2a60f57c1.phoenix_open_golf_azpc106.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=317&hc=352&q=70&sig=k_EsA.E5PpWEhz1Kzr9E.g--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100227/capt.45f8ba1fdd0d4529ad9a2486dc339447.phoenix_open_golf_azpc105.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=329&hc=366&q=70&sig=aZQNrCbM2KfpdrTA60vflw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100227/capt.bd250674e41b43fa8879df2808a8fe89.phoenix_open_golf_azpc103.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=321&hc=357&q=70&sig=wy9Qo9xoBXwF4iWstjlU9w--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100227/capt.bd79f0feacc340ec909a82616035d028.phoenix_open_golf_azpc104.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=309&hc=343&q=70&sig=.MARbWY7jddDYvwRUYNZpw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100227/capt.1b6f25fac8e44c2897a3c3c131b8e803.phoenix_open_golf_azpc102.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=290&hc=322&q=70&sig=pgis1OiQupVvUgl4L1s0IA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100227/capt.3d25d0cdac1d4ef9aef139225b4a8075.phoenix_open_golf_azpc101.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=62&yc=1&wc=286&hc=318&q=70&sig=juLbDx2LfNihrv30AgfoVQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100227/capt.68a87969a83a45edb813a9bbada30dbe.phoenix_open_golf_azpc123.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=290&hc=322&q=70&sig=aWXV28dq8enTNnttl7dQmA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100227/capt.5f15f7bfbc0c4d07a8f11fcc3c5a11fc.phoenix_open_golf_azpc122.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=57&yc=1&wc=297&hc=330&q=70&sig=1CZ7K2fCZwpMcoFBt1DG4Q--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100227/capt.9856bb5e8a6f4640bfc1d91d0c0432b9.phoenix_open_golf_azpc120.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=297&hc=330&q=70&sig=v1nhTyMrCLldkOyFd_Q3AA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100227/capt.30660fd241fc4797b0e6662d3164744a.phoenix_open_golf_azpc121.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=321&hc=357&q=70&sig=23g6R_uWcNnj5RfTRnx6vg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100227/capt.f09cc9dff47c4c22b0eb03a57e41d92f.aptopix_phoenix_open_golf_azpc109.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=69&yc=1&wc=273&hc=303&q=70&sig=VqjVO0rjo68o1gZAH867TA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100226/capt.d69abc6ac9ab465197907a63a8f4a75f.phoenix_open_golf_azpc119.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=325&hc=361&q=70&sig=MIhT17.BO9hwOVEVGxN9YQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100226/capt.e959c74d43204cb699c9c1e5acae54db.phoenix_open_golf_azpc118.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=302&hc=336&q=70&sig=vOplbRtdinVKLZQO3ahsZA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100226/capt.556747e21733437aa0a3d7c5bee53c09.phoenix_open_golf_azpc113.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=74&yc=1&wc=264&hc=293&q=70&sig=f4g8lRwunayXiYLWP8gTxA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100226/capt.5fb3083383cf4ca4bfb396be3757d03c.phoenix_open_golf_azpc117.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=317&hc=352&q=70&sig=2gQwhTPgCAWUXEgX9MtzrA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100226/capt.34d3c08f149748d2919f37d214cac09b.phoenix_open_golf_azpc118.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=302&hc=336&q=70&sig=L1MBn8K34hKvA868Sgolyw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100226/capt.2c8fc05b3a7e493e98f07f633e2f7d42.phoenix_open_golf_azpc116.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=46&yc=1&wc=320&hc=355&q=70&sig=USVukHJXjo0B1G5_37lifA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100226/capt.434f117db59d4fdf99f5e9ffc63e8037.phoenix_open_golf_azpc115.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=59&yc=1&wc=293&hc=326&q=70&sig=5SaZy6jwDCESX0JkG405ZA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100226/capt.58c322eb27984656b03ddf977e984ac3.phoenix_open_golf_azpc114.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=318&hc=353&q=70&sig=O7uXJKj4M0Y7z_kZXw4Q2Q--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100226/capt.a55284ce5a364028996c3f02a5b92611.phoenix_open_golf_azpc113.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=74&yc=1&wc=264&hc=293&q=70&sig=ZsqiU3zReD7lEJlIvHTiZg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100226/capt.20a29094168f42d597ca8f35577f45f2.phoenix_open_golf_azpc112.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=325&hc=361&q=70&sig=LQK6k78XV1ouP_FNQrOfBA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100226/capt.0d8d1f4a2cc2442abfb2151a59280c9c.phoenix_open_golf_azpc111.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=327&hc=363&q=70&sig=.ZVrI6NLq3kp9eICJ45Mcw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100226/capt.619014ffb32d4278a204bf7cca2d0e43.phoenix_open_golf_azpc110.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=329&hc=366&q=70&sig=4Lw.lX_vXbQNBW_kyk8WqQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100226/capt.6e7bbafa93004ae5b79645a10b12f4d1.phoenix_open_golf_azpc109.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=69&yc=1&wc=273&hc=303&q=70&sig=69IkUbFaS8UYMUv0.Xfsrw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100226/capt.160e99ec3a7e44889d2b7bec0cf67948.phoenix_open_golf_azpc108.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=63&yc=1&wc=285&hc=317&q=70&sig=N8lnquSYXUfLpm02GCV6Dg--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 40 Golf Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();

Rickie Fowler (69) and Matt Every (68) were two back at 12 under. CamiloVillegas, who shared the lead with Mark Wilson after two rounds, birdied thelast two holes to finish even for the day and minus-11 for the tournament.

Wilson, Mark Calcavecchia and Lee Janzen were among nine at 10-under 203.

The 49-year-old Calcavecchia has won the Phoenix Open three times, in 1989,1992 and 2001. The last of his 13 PGA tour victories came in 2007.

The sky was overcast with a threat of rain at TPC Scottsdale, and the windkicked up late in the day. Perhaps that’s why the crowd was more than 40,000 shyof the estimated 164,000 who attended on Saturday a year ago. The record is170,000 in 2008.

But the scene was as wild as usual at the notorious 16th hole, wherebleachers surround the par 3 and fans have special chants for virtually everygolfer. The good shots draw lusty cheers, the bad ones loud boos.

“It was crazy,” Snedeker said. “You’ve got to take it with a grain ofsalt and realize golf needs that. We need people out here having fun, beingexcited about being at a golf tournament. If you can’t take it for one hole,good God, get over yourself and have some fun.”

The same could be said of Snedeker’s young career.

He was the 2007 PGA Tour rookie of the year, but his victory at the WyndhamChampionship that season remains his lone win.

He struggled early last year, missing the cut 12 of 26 times and wassidelined eight weeks by a rib injury.

“You just listen to your hype,” Snedeker said. “You hear people talkingabout how good you are and how much you could be the next big thing, you shouldbe winning each week. And the minute you think that you should be winning thegolf tournament each week, you’re completely out of bounds.”

The turnaround, he said, came last July at the AT&T National, where he tiedfor fifth.

“Literally like a flipped switch,” Snedeker said, “and I said, `I’m sickand tired of this.’ I don’t care if I have to quit playing golf, I’m not goingto keep playing the way I’ve been playing. And ever since then I’ve been playinggood.”

He tied for second Jan. 31 at Torrey Pines, one shot behind winner BenCrane.

Snedeker’s only bogey Saturday, on the par-4 14th, was the most criticalhole of the round, he said.

He pulled his second shot into the left bunker. He failed to clear thebunker with his third shot and, with a bad lie, knocked his fourth shot 32 feetpast the pin. Then he nailed the putt.

“That says a lot about where my head is right now,” Snedeker said. “…It completely changed the way I walked on the 15th tee, feeling excited,confident, everything still going good.”

Snedeker has led after three rounds only once before, at the 2007 BuickOpen.

Piercy, in search of his first victory on the tour, will be in the finalgroup at Phoenix for the second year in a row. He was a shot off the lead goinginto the last round a year ago and finished tied for sixth.

Piercy said he learned watching eventual winner Kenny Perry play that finalround.

“He made a ton of pars. He didn’t make any bogeys, or very few bogeys, andthen when he made a birdie, that birdie was so huge,” Piercy said.

He said it showed him “`rather than put on the gas pedal the whole time,maybe drive with a little bit of caution.”

Piercy had a two eagles, the second one a tap-in on the par-4, 390-yard 10thhole, when his tee shot came to rest 10 inches from the pin.

The scene around the 16th was madness, with the mostly young crowd packedelbow-to-elbow, beer in hand.

People lined up to get into the bleachers as if it was some trendyScottsdale night club.

When Snedeker teed off, fans nearest the tee shouted “gentleman, scholar,athlete,” the golfer’s high school motto.

When Piercy hit, they chanted the name of porn star Jenna Jameson, of allpeople.

“She went to the same high school as me,” he explained.

Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf 10

Next Page »

Copyright © 2007 PGA Golf Tour – Golf information, Golf Stats, Golf scores, updated hourly · Revolution News theme by Brian Gardner · Log in