Steady Sunday morning

Singh’s holds three-shot lead with par putting

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Posted: Sunday April 09, 2000 11:17 AM

No day at the beach: Vijay Singh maintains a three-stroke lead at the Masters heading to the final round. AP

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) -- Vijay Singh had the look of a Masters champion.

Returning to Augusta National with frost melting into dew, Singh made par putts of 8 and 18 feet early Sunday to close a brilliant 2-under 70 and protect his three-stroke lead over David Duval entering the final round.

"It could have been worse," Singh said.

The third round was suspended Saturday evening because of a two-hour rain delay that brought some of the nastiest winds in Masters history, with gusts up to 42 mph. It was the first time a third round had to be completed Sunday since 1992.

Singh was at 209. He will be paired again later Sunday with Duval, who for the third straight year is in position to win the green jacket.

"I still feel very good about the outcome of this golf tournament," said Duval, the 36-hole leader who finished off a 74 and was at 212.

Another stroke back was two-time U.S. Open champion Ernie Els, who parred his final three holes for a 74, and Loren Roberts, who managed to get his 71 just before play was suspended Saturday.

Phil Mickelson had a 45-foot birdie putt on the 16th that didn't make it up the hill, trickling back to his feet. He took a bogey there, and another one on the 18th when he drove into the 10th fairway for a 76.

He was at 215, along with two players who made the biggest move Saturday -- Tiger Woods and Davis Love III. Each had a 68 before the winds came, and made an even bigger move when all but Singh came back to them.

Mike Weir of Canada was also at 215 with a round every bit as good as Singh's, a 70 in which he played most of the round under the worst conditions.

The forecast for Sunday afternoon was for sunny skies and mild winds.

Duval had every opportunity to close the gap, if not take the lead over the remaining four holes he played on a chilly but calm morning at Augusta.

With dew splashing off the ground with every practice swing, he hit a wedge within 6 feet on the par-5 15th but missed the putt. Duval nearly holed a chip from just off the 16th, then missed another 6-foot birdie on the 17th.

Singh, meanwhile, left his tee shot some 45 feet below the cup on the 16th and lagged well short before making the putt. On the 17th, his approach spun back into the bunker and he blasted 18 feet past the cup.

Sensing the importance of the putt, he clenched his fist when it dropped, a rare display of emotion from the Fiji native.

"I'm very happy with my putting," Singh said. "It's a great score. Given the conditions, it's one of the better rounds I've played."

One more like that could make him a Masters champion.

 

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