Posted at 3:21 p.m., Saturday, January 20, 2007
Glover, Rose lead Hope Classic; Wilson 6 strokes back
Associated Press
THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. — Lucas Glover overcame a five-stroke deficit to join Justin Rose at the top of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic leaderboard, shooting a 7-under 65 on Saturday in the fourth round of the 90-hole tournament.The 27-year-old Glover, a former Clemson star who has steadily moved up the ranks on the tour, matched Rose at 20 under, sticking his irons close to the pin on most greens at La Quinta and making a couple of 25-foot putts on others.
Kane'ohe's Dean Wilson shot a 69 on Saturday and was six strokes back at 274.
Rose, the 26-year-old Englishman who also appears to be a player on the rise, shot a 70 at The Classic Club, the site of the final round. That followed a third round when he had taken a two-shot lead with a 66 in cold, windy weather.
Although the it turned out to be sunny and relatively warm, the start of play Saturday was delayed a half-hour by frost on three of the four courses. The overnight low was 30 degrees, but conditions were nearly ideal later in the day, with temperatures in the 60s and very little wind.
Glover is shooting for his second PGA Tour victory. He won the Funai Classic in 2005. Rose is looking for his first.
John Rollins was two shots back after a 67, and Jeff Quinney (66) and Charley Hoffman (68) were tied for fourth at 16 under.
Phil Mickelson, the champion in 2002 and 2004, had nine birdies on his way to a 66 and a 13-under total. He's making his first start of the year.
After beginning with a bogey, Glover birdied the next hole, had four pars in a row, then seemed to get his round rolling when he made a 25-footer for birdie.
He began play on the back nine at La Quinta, made the turn at 34 then had five birdies on his way to a 31 on the front, including another 25-footer for birdie on No. 4.
La Quinta was one of four courses used for the first four days, a pro-am. The field was reduced to the low 70 scoring pros and ties for the final round at The Classic Club.
Rose had some putting problems.
He three-putted for bogey on both the 14th and 16th greens at The Classic Club. He had another bogey after hitting into the water on the par-4 11th. His up-and-down round included four bogeys and six birdies.
Bernhard Langer, who took a big jump toward the top with a third-round 63 that put him in a tie for 13th, had a 69 to slip back into a group tied for 19th at 13 under.
Divots: Defending champion Chad Campbell missed the cut. He had a 72, his fourth round at 70 or above, and was at 286. Last week's winner in Hawaii, Paul Goydos, was in the final group to make the cut, at 282. ... David Duval had a 68 and was at 278. ... omedian-actor George Lopez obviously is flattered to be the tournament host, saying, "I started hitting in my backyard when I was 12 and never thought it would end up like this."
