Tucson Chrysler Classic
Omni Tucson National Resort
Tucson, Arizona
19th February - 22nd February 1998

Par 72 Prize Money $2 million

Third Round Report

Third Round Scores
Second Round Report
Second Round Scores - partial
First Round Report
First Round Scores

Final round field trails Duval by seven-shots

Tucson, Arizona, 21st February 1998 - David Duval fired a third-round, four-under-par 68 to vault to a seven-stroke lead in the Tucson Chrysler Classic on Saturday in his bid for his fourth victory in his last eight tournaments.

Duval finished at 20 under par.

Justin Leonard was in second place at 13 under after his four-under-par 68.

Also with a 68 was David Toms, alone in third place at 11 under par, nine behind Duval. Five others were at 10 under, including Tom Lehman, who shot 69, and Scott Hoch, who had a 71.

Playing in fading light, Duval and Leonard both bogeyed the last hole. Duval three-putted and Leonard chipped about six feet short of the hole.

"I couldn't see the hole at all when I was chipping. It was really dark to play golf, but we thought finishing the round was better than coming back first thing tomorrow morning. It's too bad we finished like we did, but the decision will certainly buy us a couple of extra hours of sleep tomorrow," said Leonard.

Rain interrupted play on Friday with half the field still on the course. The second round was completed Saturday morning, delaying the start of the third round until the afternoon.

Duval started the round with a seven-stroke lead after his round of 62 on Friday, and at the turn of the third round had extended his lead to nine strokes.

Duval had bunker trouble on his 16th hole, making double bogey, and then finished off the round with a bogey.

"I was disappointed to have the last couple of holes end as they did, but I started today in a position I've never been in before, with a big lead, and I think I acquitted myself pretty well and played a good round," said Duval.

Leonard came back from a five stroke deficit to win the British Open last July, and remained optimistic about closing the seven stroke difference here on Sunday.

"I saw David shoot a 62 here, so I know it's possible and it's out there. David is playing awfully solid though, and rolling the ball as well as I have ever seen him do. I just have to play aggressively and see what happens," said Leonard.

Duval also says he plans to play aggressively in the final round. "I'm playing as well this week as I did at the end of last year when I won three in a row," Duval said.