Defending champion Retief Goosen shot a
5-under-par 67 Saturday, including an eagle and five birdies, to
extend his lead to five strokes heading into the final round of the
China Masters.
Goosen, a two-time U.S. Open winner, has a three-round total of
20-under 196 at the par-72 Yalong Bay Golf Club.
First-round leader Lu Wen-teh of Taiwan shot a 69 to sit in
second place, one stroke ahead of 2005 U.S. Open winner Michael
Campbell, who had an up-and-down round of 70 including three bogeys
and four birdies.
Overnight leader Goosen rebounded from an even-par first nine to
eagle the par-5 13th hole from 20 feet. The South African sank a
15-foot birdie putt on the next hole before rounding off his day by
draining a 40-foot putt for another birdie on 18.
``The (birdie) on 18 was kind of a lucky one,'' he said. ``I was
trying to hit that close and it happened to go in. Sixteen was
unbelievable. It felt like an eagle.''
Campbell, who was runner-up to Goosen at last year's China
Masters, admitted he is now a long shot to reverse that result this
year.
``The putts weren't going in. They kept shaving the holes on four
or five occasions and it was pretty frustrating,'' the New Zealander
said. ``Six behind Retief is a lot, but you know I need a good
strong start tomorrow. Retief's putt on 18 was like a final nail in
the coffin. It was a good putt.''
Despite Campbell's pessimism, Goosen refused to start
celebrating.
``I'm not going to get ahead of myself,'' said Goosen. ``It's not
always easy playing with a big lead. Everyone expects you to win and
it puts pressure on you.''
Scotsman Simon Dunn shot a 66 to move into fourth spot, seven
strokes off the lead, while Thai teenager Chinarat Phadungsil had a
64 to share fifth with England's Yasin Ali (69).
The 43-year-old Lu said while he's all but given up on the title,
he's happy with his performance against the two major winners.
``I am satisfied with the way I played,'' he said. ``I didn't
think about chasing Retief or Michael. I just played my own game and
see if I could learn from these two great players.''
© The Canadian Press, 2007
