Posted at 5:55 p.m., Saturday, January 6, 2007
Singh takes 3-shot lead in Mercedes-Benz golf
Associated Press
KAPALUA, Maui — Vijay Singh looks as if he's tired of finishing second at Kapalua.Having finished a combined four shots behind Stuart Appleby the last three years, Singh seized control of the Mercedes-Benz Championship in more blustery conditions Saturday, shooting a 3-under 70 to take a three-shot lead over Adam Scott and Trevor Immelman.
Singh has never finished out of the top 10 since this winners-only tournament moved to the Plantation course at Kapalua in 1999, but luck has never been on his side. The way he has played for three rounds, he might not need much.
The 43-year-old Fijian has been in control of all aspects of his game and was at 11-under 208, a strong score considering trade winds that have gusted up to 35 mph all week.
Scott made birdie on five of his last seven holes for a 69 and joined Immelman at 211.
Along with getting his year off to a great start, Singh is poised to make history at the PGA Tour's season opener. A victory would be his 18th since turning 40, breaking the record held by Sam Snead.
Will MacKenzie (73) and J.B. Holmes (71) each recovered from shaky moments to stay in the mix at 212.
Except for the scenery and their positions atop the leaderboard, Singh and Scott have made the first PGA Tour event of 2007 look a lot like last year's finale. Only this time, Scott is doing the chasing.
Two months ago, Scott had a three-shot lead going into the final round of the Tour Championship at East Lake, played with Singh in the final group and held him off to win by three.
