Woods leads as play halted for darkness
Tiger up by three, can tie Snead title record on Monday
Tiger Woods is on the verge of a historic win in Japan, but he’ll need a Monday finish to seal the deal.
Woods, 43, played 29 holes before play was called Sunday because of darkness as he led by three strokes at 18-under at the ZOZO Championship in Japan.
It’s the first PGA Tour event to be played in Japan.
“Being in it for 10 hours is a long period of time,” Woods said of the extended play. “The mind tends to wander a little bit and just got to grab it and make it come back and be 100 per cent committed on the shot.”
Nearly 10 inches of rain wiped out Friday’s second round, forcing tournament organizers to play as many holes Sunday as possible to catch up. The tournament will resume Monday morning at 7:30 a.m. local time.
With a victory, Woods would tie Sam Snead’s Tour record of 82 career titles.
“Well, if I do what I’m supposed to do, and get the job done, then I get a W,” Woods said. “I guess that will add up to the 82 number, but my main focus is doing what I need to do to get the W first.”
Hideki Matsuyama, playing in his home country, is the closest to Woods at 15-under. He birdied his final two holes to close what had been a five-stroke margin.
Woods has seven holes remaining; Matsuyama has six.
“I have a lot of ground to make up tomorrow,” admitted Matsuyama.
“I need to play well to even have a chance, but I will give it a shot and do my best.”
Gary Woodland, who shared the first-round lead with Woods, and South Korea’s Sungjae Im are another three strokes back in a tie for third at 12-under.
“(Woods) played unbelievable today,” said Woodland.
“Let a couple get away on a couple par 5s, but pretty impressive the way he’s hitting the golf ball.”
Rory Mcilroy is alone in fifth place at 11-under with two holes to play. His 7-under 63 was the best showing in the third round.
Canada’s Corey Conners sits tied for 10th at 9-under through 12 holes. Adam Hadwin finished tied for 42nd at 1-under.
KLPGA star Ha Na Jang edged American Danielle Kang in a three-hole playoff on Sunday to win the inaugural BMW Ladies Championship at LPGA International
Busan in South Korea. Jang birdied the 17th hole to tie Kang at 19-under and force a sudden-death playoff, then matched Kang over the first two playoff holes before tapping in a birdie on the third to seal the victory.
“I played to the level of this game which is the best,” said Jang.
“I’m also happy that I went into a playoff with one of my closest friends, Danielle Kang.”
A former LPGA member, Jang can accept a membership and return to the tour thanks to the victory.
Alena Sharp was the top Canadian,
finishing tied for 28th at 5-under, while Brooke Henderson shot 3-under to finish tied for 38th.
Kang had a chance to win on the first playoff hole, but lipped out on a birdie putt.
“I will not play that putt any different. That was such a good stroke. I thought it was in,” said Kang.
Kang played the best round of the tournament on Sunday, shooting 8-under 64 with no bogeys. Jang had the tournament’s second lowest round at 7-under 65, buoyed by an eagle on No. 11.