Date: February 03, 2008
Author:

O’Hern remains in contention

Australian golfer Nick O&aposHern is just three shots from the lead after the third round of the FBR Open at Scottsdale, Arizona. O&aposHern carded a three-under-par round of 68 to sit in equal fourth place at 11-under, to be within striking distance of American JB Holmes, who fired a five-under-par 66 to lead by two shots at 14-under. There was a five-way tie for the lead after the second round was completed this morning – but Holmes then went out and fired eight birdies. He started off with a bogey but quickly recovered with a run of four consecutive birdies. After a bogey at the seventh, he added four more birdies and dropped just one shot over his final 11 holes. Charles Warren hit a 67, and Jonathan Byrd 68 to finish tied for second at 12-under. Ben Crane (67) is tied with O&aposHern a further shot back. A group of six players, including Justin Leonard and Phil Mickelson, were 10-under, while veteran Aussie Steve Elkington (70) is tied for 17th at seven-under. Of the other Australians to survive the halfway cut, Stephen Leaney (68), Robert Allenby (71) and Stuart Appleby (71) are in joint 23rd place at seven-under, Jason Day (70) is tied for 44th at four-under, John Senden (74) is two shots further back in equal 59th position, while Nathan Green (74) is outright 69th at one-over.