Leonard relishing final day challenge

Justin Leonard is thrilled to be in contention for the second major victory of his career and is relishing the prospect of a final-round duel with Fiji's Vijay Singh at the U.S. PGA Championship.

"Tomorrow is going to be a fun day," Leonard told reporters on Saturday after carding a third-round 70 to finish 11 under. The American is one behind leader Singh, the hottest player in golf with six wins on the U.S. PGA Tour in the last 13 months.

"I'm going to get to go head-to-head with one of the best players in the world, if not the best player in the world. It should be really exciting, and that's a huge challenge."

Despite looking forward to taking on Singh, Leonard knows he must concentrate even more on the exacting challenge that the Whistling Straits course presents.

"I've got to go play a Pete Dye (designed) golf course that's pretty difficult," said the 1997 British Open champion.

"I think I need to focus on that task more than I need to focus on Vijay and what he's doing."

Leonard came close to scooping a second career major at the 2002 U.S. PGA Championship at Hazeltine.

The 32-year-old Texan went into the final round two years ago with a one-shot lead but a five-over 77 on the last day meant he finished tied for fourth behind winner Rich Beem.

"I've gained a lot of perspective in the last couple of years, since Hazeltine," said Leonard.

"What I do tomorrow is not going to define the player that I am, the person that I am to myself, and it really shouldn't for anybody else.

"I think that if I can keep that in my thoughts, then I'll have a better chance of doing the things that I've done and not worrying about trying to win a golf tournament.

"If I do those little things, hopefully the golf tournament will take care of itself."

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