Date: January 06, 2014
Author: Michael Huguenin, Omnisport

Three-way tie for lead at Kapalua

Webb Simpson, Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson are tied for the lead at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions with a round to play.

A frustrating third round for overnight leader Zach Johnson allowed Simpson, Spieth and Dustin Johnson to move to the top of the leaderboard on Sunday with the latter just missing a birdie putt on the 18th hole which would have put him one shot in front on his own.

Zach Johnson led by three shots heading into Sunday's third round but after a one-under front nine, two bogeys saw the 37-year-old post a one-over 74 and drop to second overall at 12 under for the tournament.

Simpson, Spieth and Dustin Johnson sit two shots ahead with the latter having rolled a possible birdie putt just wide on the 18th in his four-under 69.

It was an up-and-down day for Dustin Johnson with two bogeys, a birdie and an eagle on the front nine before birdies on the 10th, 14th and 16th holes put him in title contention at the Plantation Course at Kapalua.

A stunning back-nine performance from Simpson saw him card a five-under 68 with birdies on the 12th, 13th, 15th and 16th holes setting up the 28-year-old's third round on the Hawaiian island of Maui.

Spieth notched five birdies and a bogey on his way to a 69, while his playing partner Matt Kuchar dropped 14 positions to a tie for 16th at eight under after a two-over 75, including consecutive bogeys on the last two holes.

Gary Woodland, Jason Dufner, Brandt Snedeker and Kevin Streelman are tied for fifth a stroke behind Zach Johnson, while Patrick Reed, Chris Kirk and Adam Scott are a further shot back.

Woody Austin, Ken Duke, Ryan Moore and Michael Thompson share 12th position at nine under with Kuchar, Harris English and Brian Gay just a shot adrift of that quartet.