Posted at 5:45 p.m., Saturday, January 5, 2008
Weir leads Mercedes by 1, with plenty still in hunt
By DOUG FERGUSON
Associated Press Golf Writer
But even after a 5-under 68 on the most gorgeous day at Kapalua this week, one look at the leaderboard told the Canadian he would need another one just like it tomorrow, if not better.
This working vacation suddenly turned into a grind.
Weir, who missed three straight birdie chances inside 10 feet on the back nine, hit a deft chip to 3 feet for birdie on the par-5 18th that put him at 13-under 206 and gave him a one-shot lead over Nick Watney, who birdied his last two holes for a 67.
Daniel Chopra (67) and Jonathan Byrd (69) were another stroke back.
In the 10 years that the season-opening event on the PGA Tour has been coming to the Plantation Course at Kapalua, there has never been so many players in contention going into the final round. Twelve players were separated by five shots, including defending champion Vijay Singh and Kapalua homeowner Jim Furyk.
"There's a lot of guys that have an opportunity tomorrow," Steve Stricker said after a 68 that left him four shots behind. "For me, it's going to take a real low one to catch him. But it's out there."
