Originally published Sunday, May 25, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Golf | Haas' eagle on 17 makes race of it
Bernhard Langer and Jeff Sluman appeared ready to run away from the field as the third round of the Senior PGA Championship was coming to...
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Bernhard Langer and Jeff Sluman appeared ready to run away from the field as the third round of the Senior PGA Championship was coming to a close Saturday.
That was before they were both undone by a string of bogeys. And then came Jay Haas, who's stunning eagle-2 from the rough on Oak Hill Country Club's No. 17 vaulted him into contention, making this $2 million tournament a compelling three-player race heading into the final round.
"Big swings can happen in a heartbeat," said Langer, who was standing alongside Sluman at the 18th tee when the cheers came up behind them for Haas.
"That's pretty cool, isn't it really?" Sluman added.
As for Haas: "It was a pretty amazing turn of events."
When it all shook out, Langer found himself alone on top after an even-par 70 put him at 2-over 212 for the tournament.
Haas, who shot a 72, and Sluman, the local favorite who shot 70, were one stroke back.
Scott Simpson and Bill Britton were tied at 216 and Greg Norman was part of a four-man group at 217. Otherwise, there's no one else close at an ever-stingy East Course that's surrendered only nine subpar rounds over the first three days.
Mickelson still in lead
FORT WORTH, Texas — Phil Mickelson was already frustrated by his slow start in the third round of the Crowne Plaza Invitational.
Then he saw a scoreboard.
"I couldn't see the first five holes how anybody was doing," Mickelson said. "I walk up to the sixth tee and I see I'm three or four shots back. That was kind of a rude awakening."
![]()
Lefty responded by hitting a perfect drive at the 394-yard 6th and then his approach to 5 feet. That was the first of his seven birdies over the closing stretch for a 5-under 65 on Saturday that kept him alone in the lead at Colonial at 12-under 198.
When he made a 17-foot birdie from the front edge of the closing hole, after the others had finished playing, Mickelson took a one-stroke lead over Rod Pampling (63) and Stephen Ames (64).
While Mickelson struggled early, with a bogey and several missed chances, Pampling and Ames got off to fast starts. Ames had three birdies in the first four holes and finished without a bogey. Pampling was 5 under through seven holes.
Ryan Moore (71) of Puyallup was 12 shots back at 210 total.
Notes
• Jeong Jang, fresh from two straight top-3 finishes that moved her to fifth on the 2008 LPGA money list, shot a 3-under 69 to tie Erica Blasberg for the lead after three rounds at the Corning Classic. The top two were one shot ahead of Leta Lindley (70) and Katherine Hull (72). Jimin Kang (72), the 2005 Corning champ and a graduate of Kings High School in Shoreline, was four shots off the lead.
• Robert Karlsson shot a 2-under 70 in windy conditions to take a four-stroke lead after the third round of the BMW PGA Championship. Karlsson was tied for second four shots behind Paul McGinley overnight, but finished the third round leading Miguel-Angel Jimenez (72) and Oliver Wilson (73) by four shots.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
AT&T host Tiger Woods outplays his guests
Golf | AT&T National has final pairing of Anthony Kim, Tiger Woods
Nick Taylor putts his way to victory in Sahalee Players Championship
Golf Roundup | Tournament host Tiger Woods leads in AT&T National
Golf | Anthony Kim fires course-record 62

2009 fireworks time lapse
With strict parking rules enforced at this year's July 4th celebration on Wallingford Ave North, less cars and more spectators filled the streets.
Entertainment | Top Video | World | Offbeat Video | Sci-Tech
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
Tax tips for new independent professionals
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sports car/coupe? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
nwhomes

Find a new home or condo that fits your lifestyle.
Search New Developments
Builder Directory
- Landmark Smith Tower mostly vacant
- Property taxes: Appeals shoot up in King, Snohomish Counties
- Palin links resignation to 'higher calling' and blasts media in Facebook posting
- Former NFL MVP McNair killed
- Hard times for tourist towns means good deals for travelers
- Shooting unveils very different sides of McNair
- Tukwila residents rally against light-rail noise
- Quincy Jones remembers "the biggest entertainer on the planet": Michael Jackson
- Confessions of an Idol Addict | "American Idols" on tour: Live coverage from opening date
- Plasma and LCD beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
- Seattle Mariners at Boston Red Sox: 07/05 game thread
247 - Palin links resignation to 'higher calling' and blasts media in Facebook posting
172 - Hatred for the NBA runs deep, but don't take it out on the players
135 - Tukwila residents rally against light-rail noise
125 - Former NFL MVP McNair killed
112 - Property taxes: Appeals shoot up is King, Snohomish Counties
103 - Tent City on campus: UW stalls decision
100 - Anti-tax rally in Olympia attracts about 1,500
68 - Seeking your questions
53 - Mariners did their part, now they need help
44
- Property taxes: Appeals shoot up in King, Snohomish Counties
- Hard times for tourist towns means good deals for travelers
- Landmark Smith Tower mostly vacant
- Plasma and LCD beware; OLED screens ready to go mainstream
- Tent City on campus: UW stalls decision
- The People's Pharmacy | Estrogen mimicker found in sunscreen
- Toyota's Toyoda scolds execs for emulating U.S. car companies' mistakes
- Tukwila residents rally against light-rail noise
- Outdoor-theater season kicks off at Volunteer Park
- Seattle safety project: A snake shelter on Beacon Hill





