American Goydos edges ahead at Sawgrass
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American journeyman Paul Goydos has held his nerve in testing conditions to edge one shot clear after the third round of golf's Players Championship in Florida.
A stroke off the pace overnight, Goydos delivered another superb putting display on the slick greens at the TPC at Sawgrass to stay on track for his third PGA Tour title.
The 43-year-old lipped out with a birdie attempt at the last before ending a sweltering day of swirling breezes with a 2-under-par 70.
That left him at 7-under 209, one ahead of second-round pace-setter Kenny Perry who returned a 72.
"The greens here are perfect and my caddie has had a good week reading them," Goydos said after needing only 26 putts.
Spaniard Sergio Garcia, who vied for the lead with playing partner Goydos for much of the round, bogeyed four of the last six holes for a 73 and third place at 4-under.
Defending champion Phil Mickelson was a further two strokes adrift in a tie for fourth after firing a 71 that featured five birdies, two bogeys and a double-bogey at the par-four 14th.
"I'm playing well enough to shoot 67 or 68 out here," the American left-hander said.
"I don't feel I'm that far off. We've got one more round and I'm starting to play pretty well.
"At least I'm within striking distance. Although I haven't been getting out of the round what I feel I need to or should, I'm playing well. The opportunity to shoot the number tomorrow necessary to win I think is there."
Stuart Appleby is the best of the Australians with his second consecutive round of 71 placing him six shots behind the leader.
Adam Scott, ther 2004 champion, is a further two strokes back.
Nick O'Her, Robert Allenby, Aaron Baddeley and Steve Elkington are well out of contention.
-Reuters
