Haas is in control at Viking Classic

Published 12:30 am Sunday, October 3, 2010

MADISON — One more round in the 60’s and Bill Haas will join an exclusive group of six as multiple winners this season on the PGA Tour,

Haas, from South Carolina, shot a 3-under 69 in Saturday’s third round of the Viking Classic and will take a four-shot lead into today’s final round at Annandale Golf Club.

Haas won the third tournament of the season, the Bob Hope Classic in February. A win today and he will join the group headed by 2010 FedEx Champion Jim Furyk, along with two-time winners Ernie Els, Dustin Johnson, Steve Stricker, Justin Rose and Hunter Mahan.

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Haas came into the Viking Classic’s third round tied with Brendon de Jonge at 12-under. After an opening bogey on the first hole, Haas reeled off five birdies on the front nine to reach 15-under.

Yet instead of a runaway, Haas made a mistake at No. 12 with a double bogey to let the field back in.

Australia’s Nathan Green took advantage with a birdie at 14 to tie Haas at 13-under. The tie lasted five minutes until Haas stuck a wedge within 5 feet and birdied the 14th as well. On the par-3 15th, Green three-putted for a bogey while Haas drained a 6-footer for a two-shot swing and a three-shot lead.

“I figured I would be tied after what happened at 12, but when I got to 15, I didn’t actually know what Nathan had done. When I looked back at the board after making the putt, I saw where I picked up two shots,” Haas said. “From there on, I just wanted to be patient.”

Haas overcame an anxious moment on the par-4 17th when his approach shot strayed near the water. He was able to get up and down for a par.

“I thought it was OK but I got way out in front and really just had more club on it than I wanted,” Haas said. “It still stayed up there. That could’ve been a six.”

At No. 18, Haas stayed in the fairway but his approach landed about 30 yards from the flag. De Jonge stuck his second shot within 2 feet for an eagle try. The Zimbabwe native made the putt to finish with a 2-under 70 and joined Green and 51-year-old Michael Allen in second place at 11-under.

“It felt good to finish with a three,” de Jonge said. “I got off to a poor start. I felt like I needed to make birdie to have a shot on Sunday. The wind laid down a bit and I was able to hit a 3-iron in there. I’m excited about going into Sunday.”

Allen, who has made just seven cuts on the big tour while also splitting time on the Champions Tour, is also excited for today.

“I’m looking forward to it,” said Allen, whose best finish this year was fifth at the Farmers Insurance Open. “I get to go into the last round at least with the second to last group.”

Allen made it to 11-under by getting a birdie on 18.

“I feel overall I played quite nicely, I just wasn’t able to get the ball as close today as yesterday,” Allen said.

Haas said Annandale’s greens are getting tougher and it will be hard for anyone to post a big score.

“The greens are getting pretty tough,” Haas said. “At the Bob Hope, I wasn’t leading going into the final round. Here, I’ll have a four-shot lead. I feel if I can get another round in the 60s, I’ll be in good shape.”

Jason Bohn, who won at New Orleans and is in 37th place on the money list, is alone in fifth at 10-under. He was 5-under on Saturday for a 67. Four players are tied at 9-under, including first-round leader Arjun Atwal, who won this year at the Wyndham Championship. Tom Gillis, Chris Sroud and Joe Durant joined Atwal in sixth place.

Former PGA champion David Toms, Jonathan Byrd, John Senden and D.J. Trahan round out the top 10 at 8-under.