Golf-Imada flies solo at Torrey Pines, big names close (Reuters)
January 31, 2010
* Imada sinks long-range birdie putt on 18th green
* Mickelson and Els move into contention
(Adds Imada quotes, detail)
By Mark Lamport-Stokes
SAN DIEGO, Jan 30 (Reuters) – Japan’s Ryuji Imada pulledtwo shots clear after the third round of the San Diego Open onSaturday as some of the biggest names in the field moved intocontention for a last-day push.
After sharing the overnight lead with little-known AmericanDA Points, Imada fired a two-under-par 70 on another gloriousday of sunshine at picturesque Torrey Pines to open a littledaylight between himself and the chasing pack.
Although the coastal breezes strengthened in the afternoon,the 33-year-old played bogey-free golf on the back nine to posta 13-under total of 203, ending his round in style with a34-foot birdie putt.
“The score looks pretty solid but it was a struggle outthere,” Imada told reporters. “I struggled with my driver todayand it took me nine holes to hit my first fairway. But Ibattled it out with a good short game and good putting.
“I can’t really let my guard down,” added the 33-year-oldfrom Hiroshima, whose only victory on the PGA Tour came at the2008 AT&T Classic. “It’s a tough enough golf course where six,seven or eight shots could change in nine holes
“I’ve got to keep playing well. I’m sure some of those guysare going to play really well tomorrow, so I’ve got to keepgoing, too.”
Australian Michael Sim birdied two of the last three holesfor a 70 and a tie for second place with American Ben Crane(69) at 11 under, a stroke in front of reigning U.S. Openchampion Lucas Glover (68).
Perhaps the most significant moves of the day, however,came from three-times winner Phil Mickelson and former worldnumber one Ernie Els.
MICKELSON LURKS
Left-hander Mickelson shrugged off a double-bogey at thepar-four seventh to card a 70 and end the round in a six-waytie for fifth, just four shots off the lead.
South African Els, despite losing momentum after the turn,was a further stroke back at eight under after returning afive-birdie 69.
“My short game kept me in it,” world number two Mickelsonsaid after dumping his second shot into water at the lastbefore getting up and down from 55 yards to save par.
“I didn’t hit the ball the way I’ve been hitting it comingin, but I don’t feel like it’s far off. Hopefully I’ll make anadjustment tonight.
“I’m only a few back,” he said of his victory hopes goinginto Sunday’s final round. “If I throw something in the mid tohigh sixties tomorrow, I think it has a very good chance.”
Imada, who finished a distant second here behind TigerWoods in 2008, duelled with playing partner Points for the leadover the front nine before taking control after the turn.
He knocked in a four-footer to birdie the 10th beforerolling in his monster putt at the par-five last to snatch atwo-shot cushion. (Editing by John O’Brien; To query or comment on this storyemail sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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