Marino, Goydos tied for lead at Barclays

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (AP) — Steve Marino ran off three straight birdies late in the third round Saturday for a 3-under 68 to catch Paul Goydos for a share of the lead at The Barclays and give himself another shot at his first PGA Tour victory.

On a Liberty National course shortened by 355 yards — Tiger Woods said it was like playing the “ladies tees” — a bunch of other players felt the same way about their chances.

That includes Woods.

Despite missing six putts inside 12 feet — one of them for eagle — Woods made two big pars on the back nine and shot a 67 that left him five shots out of the lead going into the final round.

Goydos made his move early with three straight birdies that put him atop the leaderboard throughout most of the day. On holes where everyone was picking up birdies, however, Goydos settled for pars and shot a 68.

“If you told me on Thursday I would have to play and start Sunday tied for the lead, I wouldn’t play,” Goydos said.

Goydos and Marino were at 9-under 204, two shots clear of 24-year-old rookie Webb Simpson (72) and Fredrik Jacobson (68). Steve Stricker had a 68 and was three shots behind at 207.

The Barclays is the only PGA Tour event Woods has played at least three times without finishing in the top 10. He was among 11 players separated by five shots going into the final round.

Marino lost in a playoff at Colonial this year, and he shared the 36-hole lead with Tom Watson at the British Open. He figures that being in the mix for a title can only serve him well, and Marino should find out how much on Sunday.

“I felt like I was ready to win back then, too,” Marino said. “It just didn’t turn out that way. I just feel like I’m playing real well right now, and I’m going to do the best I can. I think if I play well, I’ll have a good chance to win the golf tournament.”

There is plenty of other inexperience with him.

Simpson, who was in Q-school eight months ago, is trying to become the first rookie to win on the PGA Tour this year. He did well to stay in contention after badly pulling his tee shot into the water on the par-3 11th and taking triple bogey.

Jacobson has never won a PGA Tour event in his six years as a full member.

Woods, however, also has company. After getting up-and-down from 190 yards for par on the 13th, and making a 12-foot par putt on his final hole, he was at 4-under 209 along with Padraig Harrington and Zach Johnson.

Liberty National, described throughout the week as long and hard, received a new identity in the third round.

“They are playing the ladies’ tees most of the day,” Woods said.

The tees were moved forward so far that the course was only 7,064 yards.

“You have to be careful to take what this golf course gives you each day,” Goydos said. “I don’t know what to expect tomorrow. We may play the tips for all I know.”