Steve Stricker polished off a five-
under 66 Sunday and stretched his lead to six strokes after three rounds of
the Northern Trust Open.
Stricker, who led by five entering the day, carded a pair of birdies and a
bogey to wrap up his third round. Twelve players completed their third rounds
Sunday morning after play was suspended on Saturday by darkness.
The tournament had weather problems on Friday that delayed the end of the
second round until Saturday. The forecast for the remainder of Sunday is good
so action is expected to be completed as scheduled around 6:00 p.m. (et).
Luke Donald, who also shot 66 in round three, and J.B. Holmes (67) had
completed their third rounds on Saturday. They share second place at nine-
under-par 204 with Andres Romero, who polished off his 70 on Sunday morning at
Riviera Country Club.
Stricker returned to the course Sunday morning and had a 37-foot birdie putt
on the par-four 15th. He poured that putt in and made it two in a row as he
also birdied the par-three 16th.
After making par on the par-five 17th, Stricker missed a 14-foot par putt at
the last as his lead dipped from seven to six entering the final round.
This is the ninth time Stricker has owned a piece of the lead entering the
final round. Stricker won just three of those previous eight events.
Kevin Stadler (69), George McNeill (66) and Dustin Johnson (74) share fifth
place at eight-under-par 205. Steve Marino (69), Ricky Barnes (69), Anthony
Kim (69) and Alex Prugh (66) are one stroke back at minus-seven.
NOTES: There was a second cut that reduced the final-round field to 72
players...Nine players -- Bob Estes, Nick O'Hern, Fredrik Jacobson, David
Duval, Rory Sabbatini, Ryan Moore, Bill Lunde, Cameron Beckman and Richard S.
Johnson -- made the cut, but will not play the final round.
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