Waldorf takes aim to defend title

Duffy Waldorf figures his best defense will be a lot of offense in the final round of the Buick Classic.

With Phil Mickelson, David Duval, Ernie Els and four others a stroke behind and four more players within three shots, Waldorf will try to push his game to the limit.

``I can't really play like I'm in the lead,'' the defending champion said. ``I should play like I'm just starting the tournament and go for as low a round as I can.''

Waldorf shot a 3-under-par 68 in hot and windy conditions today for a 7-under 206 total on the demanding Westchester Country Club course.

``I feel I'm just part of the pack with that many guys so close,'' he said. ``I can't go in thinking I have a lead to protect. I imagine it will be quite a shootout.''

Waldorf, who beat Dennis Paulson in a playoff last year, had a bogey-free round in the difficult afternoon conditions.

``I think 68 was a great score,'' Waldorf said. ``I played solid, and didn't get into too much trouble. It was a tough day to play.''

He made a 20-foot birdie putt on No. 5, reached 6 under with a 4-foot putt on No. 9, and two-putted from 20 feet for birdie on No. 10 after driving the green on the 314-yard hole.

Mickelson and Els also shot 68s, and Duval had a 70 to join John Cook (68), Chris Perry (68), Joey Sindelar (71) and Skip Kendall (72) at 205.

Mickelson, seeking his fourth victory of the year, holed an 88-yard lob wedge shot for eagle on the par-4 17th to counter a double-bogey 5 on the 16th.

``That was a nice way to end the round,'' Mickelson said. ``With so many guys clumped up on the leaderboard, it was nice to make up that ground.''

Els, the 1996 and `97 Buick Classic winner, had five birdies and two bogeys.

``I played myself back into the tournament,'' the two-time U.S. Open champion said. ``I told my caddie, `I'm glad the wind picked up. This will let us catch up with the leaders.'''

Duval is trying to end a 14-month victory drought.

``I hung in there in difficult conditions and made up three strokes on the lead,'' he said. ``I like it when it gets tough. It demands more precision and discipline.''

Paulson, the leader after the first two rounds, shot a 75 to fall two strokes back. He had a two-stroke lead after nine holes, but dropped five strokes with three bogeys and a double-bogey.

``I didn't play very well,'' Paulson said. ``I've got to go out tomorrow and try to make some birdies.''

Sergio Garcia, the 20-year-old Spanish star who made the cut by a stroke, had the best round of the day, a 65 that left him three strokes back at 209. Garcia, who started on No. 10, had five birdies in a six-hole stretch beginning with No. 18.

DIVOTS: The tournament has ended in playoffs the last two years, with J.P. Hayes beating Jim Furyk in 1998 and Waldorf topping Paulson in 1999. There have been eight playoffs in the last 15 years, and 10 in 33 tournaments. ... Shigeki Maruyama, the Japanese player who shot a 58 on Monday during U.S. Open qualifying in Rockville, Md., had a 67 for a 210 total. ... Greg Norman was five strokes back after a 68. ... Bobby Cochran eagled the par-5 ninth and 18th holes. He shot a 69 for a 212 total. ... The winner will receive $540,000 from the $3 million purse.

Email this page to a friend | Return to top of page