Guthrie, Thompson tied for Honda lead

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Florida, March 3, (AP): US PGA Tour rookie Luke Guthrie and Michael Thompson survived the chilly, blustery conditions and shared the lead in the Honda Classic on Saturday.

With wind making the course play longer and the water look even more daunting, Guthrie held on for a 1-over 71 in his first time playing in the last group on tour. Guthrie closed with eight good pars. Thompson narrowly missed a 20foot eagle putt on the par-5 18th hole for a 70.

They were at 8-under 202, and had to buckle down for what should be a wide open final round.

Lee Westwood chipped for an unlikely birdie on the 14th hole, made a 20-foot birdie on the 17th and salvaged a par despite hitting 3-wood into the water on the final hole for a 70 that left him only two shots behind.

Geoff Ogilvy also had to work hard for a 70, starting with three bogeys on the opening four holes. Ogilvy made a 7-foot birdie putt on the 18th to join Westwood at 202 and give him a great chance to erase a miserable West Coast Swing.

Ogilvy, who failed to finish in the top 50 and qualify for the Masters at the end of last year by one shot, missed his last four cuts and didn’t qualify for the Match Play Championship last week. He has until the end of the month to go from No. 79 into the top 50, making Sunday an important day.

Eleven players were separated by four shots going into the final round, a group that included Rickie Fowler, Charles Howell III, Keegan Bradley and Justin Rose.

Missing from contention was Tiger Woods.

Woods had hoped to post a low score to at least get into contention and was headed that way with a 32 on the front nine.