Date: July 08, 2012
Author: Omnisport

Simpson in control as Coles falls back

US Open champion Webb Simpson has a two-stroke lead heading into the final round of the Greenbrier Classic. Simpson, looking for his fourth PGA Tour title, kept cool in sultry conditions at The Old White TPC in West Virginia, carding five birdies in a blemish-free round of 65. The 26-year-old hit four birdies in his final six holes, including consecutive birdies on 17 and 18 to go two shots clear on 14 under overall. His closest rival is American rookie Troy Kelly, who shot a magnificent 62 in just his 33rd Tour start. Kelly fired eight birdies, including five in his first eight holes, to move himself to 12 under for the tournament and right in contention for the final day. Three other locals are a stroke back including another rookie, Charlie Beljan, who hit three birdies in a bogey-free 67, JB Holmes, who shot 66 and Ken Duke (65). American Ted Potter Jr is in outright sixth place on 10 under, and he is trailed by four men on nine under – Canada&aposs Graham DeLaet, South Korean Charlie Wi plus American duo Blake Adams and Martin Flores. Eleven players are still within reach on eight under, including Keegan Bradley, Bill Haas, Carl Pettersson and Jonathan Byrd. Gavin Coles is the best-placed Australian at five under after a 69 in his third round, while Rod Pampling is a further stroke back. South Korean Na Yeon Choi scorched the field at the US Women&aposs Open to take a six-stroke lead after Saturday&aposs third round. In blustery conditions at Blackwolf Run in Wisconsin, Choi did what only four others could by carding a sub-par round, with her seven-under 65 moving her within touching distance of her first major title. Only four lower rounds have been recorded in the history of the US Women&aposs Open. Choi&aposs compatriot Amy Yang is outright second at two under after carding a 69 while American Lexi Thompson, Japan&aposs Mika Miyazato and German Sandra Gal are a shot further back at one under. Australians Karrie Webb and Katherine Hull both made the cut, but are well out of contention on 12 and 13 over respectively. David Howell and Anders Hansen share the lead heading into the final round of the Open de France. England&aposs carded a four-under par 67 on Saturday to tie with Denmark&aposs Hansen on 207, one shot ahead of third-placed George Coetzee from South Africa who had a round of 70. France&aposs Raphael Jacquelin and Marcel Siem, from Germany, are tied for fourth place on 209 while one shot back in equal sixth are England&aposs Ian Poulter and Sweden&aposs Henrik Stenson.