Date: November 09, 2008
Author:

Aussies well back

None of the Australasian contingent made any impact in the third round of the Children&aposs Miracle Network Classic in Florida as Scott Verplank and Steve Marino established a two-shot buffer heading into the last day. A final-hole bogey saw Verplank lose the outright lead, the 44-year-old finishing with a three-under-par 69. Verplank, who is seeking his sixth PGA Tour victory and first since last year&aposs Byron Nelson Championship, held a three-stroke lead over Marino and Troy Matteson after firing consecutive eight-under 64s. But he had a tougher time making birdies on Saturday, especially on the back nine. He was three-under at the turn after consecutive birdies and added his fourth birdie of the day at the 11th for the lead before his bogey at the last. He was joined on 19-under-par 197 by Marino, who shot a bogey-free 66 that featured three birdies on each nine. Verplank and Marino have a two-stroke cushion over Davis Love III (64) and Scott Sterling (66) in the final US PGA Tour tournament of the year which is being played on the Magnolia and Palm courses at Walt Disney World. Matteson (69), Tommy Gainey (66) and Robert Garrigus (68) are tied for fifth on 16-under. New Zealand&aposs Tim Wilkinson (72) and Aussie Matt Jones (72) are tied for 30th place at 10-under, while Jason Day and Robert Allenby are two shots further back in a share of 40th. Third Round of The Children s Miracle Network Classic (Par 72) -19: Scott Verplank 64 64 69, Steve Marino 65 66 66 -17: Davis Love III 66 69 64, Scott Sterling 70 63 66 -16: Tommy Gainey 68 66 66, Robert Garrigus 65 67 68, Troy Matteson 63 68 69 -14: Tim Petrovic 67 67 68, Bo Van Pelt 68 66 68, Ken Duke 66 67 69, Jason Gore 66 67 69, Kevin Streelman 64 69 69, Robert Gamez 65 67 70 -13: Cameron Beckman 68 68 67, Tag Ridings 66 66 71 -12: Joe Durant 68 68 68, Charles Howell III 68 68 68, Tim Clark 69 66 69, Brenden Pappas 71 66 67, Rich Beem 65 70 69, Martin Laird 68 66 70, Chris Stroud 70 68 66, Bob Estes 70 63 71 Also: -10: Tim Wilkinson (New Zealand) 68 66 72, Matt Jones (Australia) 70 64 72 -8: Jason Day 72 66 70, Robert Allenby (Australia) 66 72 70