AUGUSTA – Tiger Woods has been here before and thrived.Last year,he had completed nine holes of a rain-delayed third round when darkness halted play.He stood four shots off the lead.
But after the next 27 holes of regulation and one extra hole,Woods claimed his fourth Green Jacket in a thrilling victory over Chris DiMarco.History could repeat itself today. Woods again completed nine holes of a rain-delayed third round yesterday before darkness brought a halt to play.He begins today at 3-under par,three shots behind
leader Chad Campbell.
“It ‘s a matter of execution, ” Woods said after shooting a 2-under 34 on the front side yesterday. “I made a couple of birdies [yesterday ].I need to make a move on the back side [today ].”
Woods posted a birdie at the par-4 third hole yesterday when his approach landed about a foot from the cup.He had another birdie at the difficult par-4 seventh hole. He ‘ll begin his round today at the 10th and will have plenty of good
karma from his success in a similar situation last year,when he resumed the third round by posting four consecutive birdies to take the lead and complete a round of 65.He went on to defeat DiMarco in a dramatic one-hole playoff.
With the greens softened from rain,Woods will be seeking birdies when play resumes today.
“The greens are soft and you have to take advantage,” Woods said. “The ball is holding.You ‘ve got to watch for too much spin on the greens.I wish I was more under par,but in soft conditions like this you can make more birdies.”
Woods is partnered with two-time U.S.Open winner Retief Goosen,who is at 2-under.Also in contention are 2004 Masters champion Phil Mickelson (3-under),two-time U.S. Open winner Ernie Els (2-under)and three-time major winner Vijay Singh (2-under).