Singh lurking just three back
Updated: March 20, 2005, 1:04 PM ET
Associated Press
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Kenny Perry was worried his 44-year-old body might be a little stiff after playing 29 holes. He found nothing had changed Sunday morning, finishing the third round with a 4-under 68 that gave him a three-shot lead overVijay Singh in the Bay Hill Invitational.
Perry continued to drive it long and straight, including a 306-yard tee shot on the par-5 16th that left him only a 5-iron into the green for a two-putt birdie that extended his lead.
He was at 10-under 206 and had the 54-hole lead for the first time since the Greater Milwaukee Open two years ago, when Perry was winning just about every time he played. He looks like he's about to enter one of those hot streaks, which might make it tough on Singh and the rest of the field at Bay Hill.
"My swing is in order," Perry said. "I felt good. I didn't feel stiff and sore like I was worried about."
Singh had to scramble for par on the easy 16th, and save par from a bunker on the 18th to complete a 69 and remain at 7-under 209. K.J. Choi (70) and Stephen Ames (71) were another shot behind.
Singh came from behind for his only victory this year at the Sony Open. Even if he doesn't catch Perry, Singh was in excellent shape to return to No. 1 in the world.
He can thank Tiger Woods and Ernie Els for that.
Woods, who took back the No. 1 spot two weeks ago by winning at Doral, hit a tee shot out-of-bounds late Saturday to fall from contention and failed to make up much ground Sunday morning. He made only one birdie to shoot 74, his first round over par on the PGA Tour this year. He was at 1-under 215, nine shots behind.
"I had two three-putts and an out-of-bounds ball. That's four shots right there," Woods said. "I wasn't playing my best, but I should have been under par."
Els did his damage in the second round Saturday morning when he shot 77. He recovered with a 69 in the third round, but was still 11 shots out of the lead.
Singh will be No. 1 if he finishes in a two-way tie for third and Woods finishes out of the top 20. He also could get to the top by finishing second, as long as Woods is out of the top five. Woods was tied for 26th going into the last round.
It all starts with Perry, however.
He has missed only five fairways all week, giving him a big advantage on a course where the rough is thick enough to cover the tops of shoes.
Ames was only one shot behind when he returned Sunday morning, but he missed the green and dropped a shot on the 15th, twice missed birdie putts inside 12 feet, the found the bunker on the 17th and failed to make an 8-footer. That left him four shots behind.
The tournament has been delayed from the start because of rain Thursday that halted play after only three hours. Some had to play 36 holes on Friday, others faced anywhere from 29 to 36 holes Saturday.
The fourth round was scheduled to begin about 1 p.m. Sunday.
Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press
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