NEW YORK - Vijay Singh's flying start to the new golf season continued yesterday as he fired a four-under 69 to take a one-stroke lead over Jonathan Kaye into the final round of the US$5.3 million ($7.69 million) Mercedes Championship.
Singh, who won nine events, more than US$10m and the
world No 1 ranking from Tiger Woods last year, has carried his brilliant form into a new campaign, carding three bogey-free rounds on Hawaii's Kapalua Plantation course to sit at 19-under after 54 holes.
While it is not unusual to see Singh's name atop the leaderboard, having Kaye nipping at the Fijian's heels ahead of some of golf's biggest names is a bit of a surprise.
Having qualified for the elite 31-player winners only field with a victory at last year's Phoenix Open, the American, 34, made the most of his chance yesterday by shooting up the standings with a seven-under 66.
South Africa's Ernie Els will go into the final round two strokes off the pace after carding a third round of 68, with Stewart Cink another shot adrift.
Defending champion Stuart Appleby, of Australia, continued to claw his way back into contention with a 66 to join Canadian Mike Weir four shots back at 15-under.
Despite putting problems and another up and down round of 69, Woods was in striking distance five shots back.
- REUTERS
