Date: September 30, 2007
Author:

Elkington, Senden five adrift

Steve Elkington and John Senden are five shots off the pace heading into the final round of the Viking Classic on Saturday. Elkington carded a 67 while Senden signed for a 71, the Aussies part of a large group trailing leader David Branshaw whose 69 took him to 13 under for the tournament. Branshaw is now on the verge of landing a maiden PGA Tour title after opening up a two-shot lead on day three of the Classic. Overnight leader Branshaw shot a three-under-par 69 to extend his lead over the field and move onto 13-under overall, with Bill Haas his nearest challenger. Branshaw, 190th on the tour money list, has missed the cut in 17 of 24 starts and has failed to secure a top-10 finish this season, but claimed 13th place at Turning Stone last week. He has won events before, but two wins on the Nationwide Tour won&apost count for much on Sunday should Branshaw continue to play the same steady golf he has for the first three rounds. Branshaw reached the turn at one-under for the round after dropping his first shot of the tournament at the ninth before picking up two birdies on the way home, while Haas signed for a 70 after dropping three shots in four holes on the front nine. Chad Campbell, Shaun Micheel and Johnson Wagner are tied at 10-under, with Fred Funk (69), Boo Weekley (70) and Jay Delsing a further shot adrift. Campbell charged up the leaderboard with an eight-under 64, while Micheel and Wagner each shot 68 Third Round of the Viking Classic (par 72) -13 David Branshaw 66 68 69 -11 Bill Haas 68 67 70 -10 Chad Campbell 70 72 64, Shaun Micheel 70 68 68, Johnson Wagner 73 65 68 -9 Fred Funk 69 69 69, Boo Weekley 68 69 70, Jay Delsing 72 65 70 -8 Kent Jones 71 70 67, Steve Elkington (Australia) 69 72 67, Daisuke Maruyama 73 70 65, Harrison Frazar 71 67 70, Charley Hoffman 69 68 71, John Senden (Australia) 68 69 71 also: -6 Nick Flanagan (Australia) 68 69 73 -4 Mark Hensby (Australia) 73 70 69, Michael Sim (Australia) 68 75 69, Andrew Buckle (Australia) 71 73 68 E Gavin Coles (Australia) 67 76 73 1 Mathew Goggin (Australia)69 75 73