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Fluid leaderboard in Akron
By Tom Gaffney
Akron Beacon Journal
AKRON
The course was compliant, the scores were low and the leaderboard was fluid.
The third round of the Bridgestone Invitational on the South Course at Akron’s Firestone Country Club on Saturday was as unpredictable as it was dizzying to follow.
Contenders emerged and then disappeared, only to reappear. Names were on the lips of fans one moment and forgotten the next.
Retief Goosen of South Africa was the second-round leader but fell all the way to 13th place on the first hole when he recorded a triple bogey.
Midway through the afternoon, seven players were tied for the lead. Eventually, Ryan Palmer and Sean O’Hair of the United States concluded the proceedings with a share of first place at 9-under 201, which was 1 shot ahead of another American, Matt Kuchar.
More of the same can be expected for the final round today, since 18 other players are perched within 5 shots of the co-leaders.
“Hopefully, it’s an exciting tournament (today). It looks like there’s a potential for anybody in that range of 4-under to have a chance because you can get it going around here,” Kuchar said. “The leaders can have some trouble. It’s not one where you have to shoot a 59 and come from behind because the leaders could make birdies, but the leaders could struggle.
“There also is the potential to shoot a low number and really move up the leaderboard, so it should make for an exciting finish.”
The potential for excitement is heightened because the soft conditions on the South Course have allowed players to be more aggressive off the tee, to the greens and on the greens. Being able to control the direction and speed of the ball allows more gambling.
The result Saturday was a series of low scores that have been rarely seen on the usually challenging South Course.
Katsumasa Miyamoto of Japan fashioned the round of the day with an 8-under 62, just 1 shot off the competitive course record.
Co-leaders Palmer and O’Hair were not far off that pace with scores of 63 and 64, respectively. Ernie Els began the day in a tie for 24th place and ended in a tie for fourth place with a 64.
Overall, 47 of the 80 players in the field finished at par or lower, including 35 in the 60s.
“The fairways are soft still and the greens are soft,” Palmer said. “Obviously, it’s perfect out there, and the guys are scoring.”
Phil Mickelson was not one of the low scorers, struggling to a round of 71 that included four bogeys. But he was bunched with the long list of contenders at 5-under 205 and in a tie for 10th place.
“I’m only four back. I fought hard today ... to stay within striking distance,” said Mickelson, who could move to No. 1 in the World Golf Rankings with a victory. “I think the later groups found it tough today, with all the guys shooting 6-, 7- and 8-under par in front of us.
“We felt like we had to force the issue. If I can make some birdies tomorrow, hopefully I can give those leaders the same feeling.”