Haas joins Harrington in lead

Jay Haas hasn't won since 1993 and Padraig Harrington has never won in the United States.

Corey Pavin hasn't won in seven years, Fred Couples hasn't won in five and Jeff Maggert hasn't won in four.

Davis Love III doesn't have a great record as a closer in big tournaments. Craig Perks' victory in the 2002 Players Championship was considered a fluke.

Chad Campbell and Steve Flesch have never won on the PGA Tour, though Flesch has won more money (nearly $6 million) than any non-winner in history.

That pretty much sums up the leader board at The Players Championship. A few good young players, a couple of underachievers and a bunch of guys who know how to win but are pretty rusty at it.

Think Tiger Woods is intimidated?

Woods birdied his final two holes and shot a 4-under-par 68 at the TPC at Sawgrass Stadium Course on Saturday. He climbed into contention for his fourth victory in five starts this year.

The 49-year-old Haas (67) and Harrington (70) were at 11-under 205. Woods was tied for 12th place, five shots back at 210.

"In general, I am looking pretty good right now," said Woods, who has overcome final-round deficits of four or more strokes five times in his professional career.

"I'd much rather have the lead. But with the conditions tomorrow, if you go out and play a good, solid round of golf, you are going to move up and you are going to challenge for the tournament. We all know anything can happen on those last three holes, especially if it's howling out there."

After a blissful, 80-[degree] day Saturday, the weather is supposed to turn nasty for the final round, with the forecast calling for rain in the morning, blustery winds in the afternoon and temperatures in the low 60s.

"Never count Tiger out, especially in bad weather," said Skip Kendall, a native of Fox Point, Wis., who shot a 73 and was tied with Woods. "I mean, he could shoot 6- or 7-under and the other guys could go the other way."

Haas, just eight months away from his 50th birthday and Champions Tour eligibility, is playing like the kids half his age. He has won nine times, but his last victory was the 1993 Texas Open.

"I guess I feel like I'm capable," Haas said. "I came within a shot or two at the Bob Hope (finished second in February), and if I had a steady diet of missing cuts and losing every tournament by 20 or 30 shots, then I wouldn't be very confident.

"I'm certainly not overconfident, but I feel good about the way I'm playing."

Though Harrington hasn't won in America, he finished second on the 2002 European Tour Order of Merit and is ranked 10th in the world.

"He's a fantastic player," said Darren Clark of Northern Ireland, who was tied for sixth with Pavin at 208. "He makes very, very few mistakes. He's very strong mentally. His golf swing is improving. You don't get to No. 10 in the world without being a very good player."

Harrington was disappointed he wasn't able to pull away from the pack after taking a two-stroke lead into the third round.

"I was hoping I would shoot a low one and get away from the field and take a lot of players out of contention, but that didn't happen," he said. "Second-best thing: I'm still leading and I'm allowed to play tomorrow."

Couples (69), Love (70) and Perks (70) were tied for third place at 207, two shots behind the leaders.

If the weather does turn Wisconsin-ish today, Couples could be a factor. His ball-striking has improved dramatically this year and he has always been a good wind player.

"Foul weather, I actually enjoy," he said. "I feel I hit the ball solid enough in difficult conditions that it really won't bother me."

Love won the 1997 PGA Championship and earlier this year won the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, his 15th career victory. Some, however, consider him an underachiever because of his enormous talent.

"I'm in a good place, two back and not in the last group and in a chasing position," Love said. "Hopefully, I can start off and get that bit in the teeth and run with it a little bit."

Perks has one career victory, but the fact it occurred on this course just 12 months ago gives him confidence that he can do it again.

"There's some magic out there for me," he said. "I have no idea why. Obviously, I've got nothing but the sweetest memories here."

Maggert, Flesch, Campbell and Jim Furyk were tied for eighth place at 209, four shots back. Maggert and Furyk shot 68s, Flesch shot a 70 and Campbell a 71.

Harrington said he was ready for a final-round free-for-all and admitted to having perhaps a slight advantage over other players if the conditions are poor. He grew up playing in wind and rain in Dublin, Ireland.

"Yeah, but I don't think the other guys are going to go home," he said. "I like the test of being the hunted. When you're the leader, everybody knows whether you've had a good or bad day."

Especially if there's a Tiger on your tail.

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