Tiger holds Open lead
By Doug Ferguson
Associated Press
FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — The U.S. Open came to life yesterday when two of Tiger Woods' biggest rivals suddenly closed in on his lead.
Associated Press
That's when the alarm went off.
Sergio Garcia kept his concentration despite hecklers, shooting a 67 to move into second place after three rounds.
Jolted awake by thunderous cheers for birdie putts by Sergio Garcia and Phil Mickelson, Woods responded with his best golf of the day — along with his only two birdies — for an even-par 70 and a four-stroke lead after three rounds.
After struggling with his swing on the easiest day for scoring at Bethpage Black, Woods was poised to become the first player since Jack Nicklaus in 1972 to claim the first two legs of the Grand Slam.
He won the Masters in April by building an early lead and watching everyone else get out of the way. That might not be the case in a final round that is suddenly dripping with drama.
Woods was at 5-under 205 and will be paired in the final group today with Garcia, a rivalry that has been brewing for the last three years and intensified the last day.
Garcia ignored heckles about his waggles and girlfriend Martina Hingis and turned in his best score at a U.S. Open, a 3-under 67 that included a near ace on No. 14 and a 20-foot birdie on the 16th.
Mickelson, who claims to be one of the few players who can stand up to Woods, made seven birdies in a calamitous round that nonetheless added to 67 and left him at even-par
