Stewart Cink played the last of his 28 holes yesterday in near darkness, eager to finish a long day in the toughest conditions the PGA Tour has seen this year.
Even after his lone bogey in the third round for a 2-under-par 69, he couldn't wait for today.
Playing in 30-mile-an-hour wind at the PODS Championship in Palm Harbor, Fla., for the better part of 12 hours, Cink's fortunes turned quickly when he ran off three straight birdies and went from four shots down to a two-shot lead that likely puts him in the final group today.
He was at 5-under 208, two shots ahead of former US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy.
Brandt Snedeker, who had a four-shot lead until his momentum changed on a three-putt from 12 feet, was at 3 under and had three holes to play. Billy Mayfair also was at 3 under playing the 16th hole when darkness suspended the third round.
Only nine players remained under par. The tournament is still up for grabs.
"I've got to keep pushing," Cink said. "My goal is to give no one a chance tomorrow."
Snedeker was at 7 under, leading by four, and had a 12-foot birdie putt on the par-3 eighth. But he three-putted for bogey, hit into the trees on the right at No. 9 for another bogey, three-putted the 13th, and suddenly was two shots behind.
"I'm disappointed with two three-putts on the par 3s. They were both stupid, boneheaded mistakes, but those are going to happen," Snedeker said.
Champions - Two-time Masters champion Bernhard Langer moved into position for his second victory on the senior circuit, shooting his second straight 6-under 65 to take a three-stroke lead in the
Langer, the
Morris Hatalsky (64), Jeff Sluman (65), first-round leader Tim Simpson (70), and 2005 winner Mark Johnson (69) were tied for second at 9 under.
European/Asian - Defending champion Peter Hedblom shot a bogey-free 65 (17-under 199) to claim a two-stroke lead over Daniel Vancsik going into the final round of the Malaysian Open at Kuala Lumpur.
