The Hindu : Sport : Trevor Immelman sure and steady

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Trevor Immelman sure and steady

Snedeker two shots adrift of leader, Woods lying fifth; Jeev in joint 23rd spot

— Photo: AFP

MY PLEASURE! Brandt Snedeker acknowledges the crowd’s cheers after a consummate performance that put him in second place after the third round on Saturday.

AUGUSTA: South African Trevor Immelman held steady through the front nine and surged ahead with an impeccable homeward half on Saturday to seize a two-shot lead with one round to play at the U.S. Masters.

Immelman, the overnight leader at eight under par, posted a three-under-par 69 at rain-softened Augusta National for an 11-under 205 total.

The 28-year-old South African stood 18 holes from his first major tournament title, though 13-times Major winner Tiger Woods, with a 68, was lurking in fifth place, six shots back.

In second place on 207 was American Brandt Snedeker, who overcame three successive bogeys from the 11th with birdies at 14, 15 and 18.

Meanwhile, Jeev Milkha Singh brought home a level-par 72 to be tied 23rd.

The 2006 Asian Tour’s No.1 fired three birdies against an equal number of bogeys on a wet and chilly day for a total of one-over 217 to lie just outside the top-20.

Sub-par finish

With the top-16 finishers and ties guaranteed of a return trip to Augusta National next year, the Indian is now hoping to finish with an under-par final round to ensure a return ticket to the first Major of the year.

“If I can shoot in the red tomorrow, I hope it gets me in the top-16. That would be great if I can do that,” said Jeev, who remains on course to better his last year’s tied 37th finish.

Immelman pulled ahead of the pack with birdies at the par-five 13th and par-four 14th and then escaped danger at 15.

The South African’s third shot to the par-five hole spun off the green and appeared to be headed down the front bank and into the pond before somehow stopping on the steep slope.

Immelman chipped back up to the green and holed a four-foot putt to save par and held his nerve through the finish.

“I think any time you’re playing this course it’s difficult to hold it together, let alone the third round of the tournament,” said Immelman.

He capped off his impressive round with a breathtaking approach to three feet at the last and rolled in his third birdie of the back nine.

Trio of bogeys

Snedeker, 27, matched Immelman with his own birdie at 18 to claw all the way back from his trio of bogeys at the stretch of holes from 11 to 13 known as Amen Corner.

“I think I figured out why they call it Amen Corner,” he joked.

Happy with chance

Woods, striking the ball beautifully but unable to take full advantage of opportunities, was frustrated with his performance but happy for a chance at a 14th Major.

“Today was probably the highest score I could have probably shot,” said Woods, who started his round shortly after play resumed following a 40-minute suspension for heavy rain and the threat of lightning in the area.

Leading scores (after third round, USA unless stated ): 205: Trevor Immelman (RSA); 207: Brandt Snedeker; 208: Steve Flesch; 209: Paul Casey (GBR); 211: Tiger Woods; 212: Stewart Cink; 214: Zach Johnson, Boo Weekley, Padraig Harrington (Ire), Andres Romero (Arg), Robert Karlsson (Swe), Sean O’Hair, Retief Goosen (RSA), Ian Poulter(GBR), Phil Mickelson; 215: Vijay Singh (Fij), Lee Westwood (GBR), Arron Oberholser; 216: Adam Scott (Aus), Jim Furyk, J.B. Holmes, Mike Weir; 217: Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind), Nick Watney, Bryan Bateman, Nick Dougherty (Eng), Stephen Ames (Can). — Agencies