Sunday, December 3, 2000
Woods pulls closer to Garcia
By John Reger
The Orange County Register
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — So now we know
the motivation behind Tiger Woods being the host of the Williams
World Challenge.
It isn't about giving the best players in
the world a chance at the $1 million first-place check, but the
opportunity to get a little payback against Sergio Garcia.
The last time Woods and Garcia played in
the same twosome was at the Aug. 28 “Battle at Bighorn,”
the made-for-television event between the two that Garcia won,
1-up.
The 20-year-old from Spain again has the
upper hand, leading the Williams World Challenge at Sherwood Country
Club after three rounds.
Garcia gave some of that lead back Saturday,
though, with a double bogey on the final hole. The mistake let
Woods position himself a stroke behind Garcia and put the two
in the final pairing today
Woods got in the final group by shooting
a 5-under 67 and it was the first chance in three rounds the former
Cypress resident has been able to gain ground on Garcia, who shot
a 3-under 69 Saturday. Garcia is at 18-under 198.
“I hit the ball pretty solid and made
some good putts,” Woods said. “I didn't feel like I
got everything out of the round.”
Garcia certainly didn't, allowing Woods
catch him before the turn before Garcia woke up on the back nine.
“I didn't play great,” Garcia
said. “I had a lot of putts that burned the edges.”
The putts started to drop on the back nine.
Garcia made four birdies, including ones at 16 and 17 feet.
Garcia got to the 18th tee with a three-shot
lead over Woods, but then one bad 5-iron approach gave most of
it back. His ball landed short in the water and he two-putted
for a double-bogey.
“I am unhappy with the finish,”
Garcia said. “Knowing Tiger is right behind me, you want
to have as big an advantage as possible.”
Woods is looking forward to seeing Garcia
again.
“It's always fun when you get the opportunity
to play in the final pairing,” Woods said. “Fortunately,
my round was good enough to get me into that position.”
The rest of the 12-man field appears to
be fighting for third place. Davis Love III is four shots behind
Garcia and the next closest is Fred Couples, 10 strokes behind.
Neither Garcia or Woods is discounting the
other 10 golfers.
“We still can't forget what can happen,”
Woods said. “Everyone said that at Disney and Duffy (Waldorf)
went out and shot 62 and that was it.”
Garcia, though, is concentrating on Woods.
“Hopefully, I can go out and beat him,”
Garcia said. “I would be looking forward to it more if I
was three shots ahead of him.”
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