Saturday, November 13, 1999
Tiger tries to come back again at Johnnie
Walker
By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN
Associated Press Writer
TA SHEE, Taiwan (AP) - Tiger Woods will need another remarkable
comeback to defend his title Sunday in the $1.3 million Johnnie
Walker Classic.
Heading into the final round, he trails Michael Campbell of
New Zealand by four strokes.
However, that's not as daunting a deficit as he faced in last
year's tournament in Thailand, where he trailed by eight shots
entering the final 18 holes.
"Right now there is a big difference between eight back
and four back," Woods said after shooting a third-round,
2-under 70 Saturday at the Ta Shee Golf and Country Club. "There
are a lot fewer guys between myself and the lead."
After 54 holes, Woods was in a three-way tie for third at 6-under
210.
His round included a tough shot from the rough on the 16th
hole that required him to swing his club into a tree. Worried
he might break the shaft of his eight iron, he let go of the club
just after impact, bending it and sending it flying backwards
toward the gallery.
Woods, who has won four straight tournament, said he was determined
to overcome his putting woes Sunday.
"I have putted terrible this week," he said. "I
am going to go out there and make some birdies."
But Campbell's consistently strong play, especially on the
greens, will be hard to beat, Woods said.
"He hits the ball very solid ... it is going to be a challenge,"
Woods said.
Campbell is at 10-under 206 after a third-round 69 on a day
when strong winds played havoc with many shots.
Campbell said the greens at Ta Shee were slower than at many
courses, a feature suited to his aggressive style of putting.
But last year's final is a reminder that Woods' ability to
fight his way back shouldn't be underestimated.
"I'd like to be 10 strokes (ahead of Woods) instead of
four," Campbell said.
Australian Geoff Ogilvy shot a 68 and was second at 209.
Sharing third with Woods were Argentina's Angel Cabrera (69)
and second-round co-leader Ernie Els (73), whose round included
a double bogey at 16.
Els was the leader in the final day of the tournament last
year, but blew an eight-stroke lead over Woods and lost in a playoff.
The South African is eager to redeem himself with a win in
Taiwan.
"I have to play really well tomorrow to win," said
Els, the tournament champion in 1997. "I have to shoot in
the mid-60s to do it."
Players said gusty winds made conditions on the course more
challenging, which could factor into higher scores.
"If it stays breezy tomorrow, you probably won't have
to shoot that low a round," Woods said.
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