Garrigus Manages to Keep Lead in Valspar Championship


Though he wasn't quite as hot as on Friday when he shot the then low round of the tournament, a 5-under 66, Robert Garrigus maintained his lead in the Valspar Championship at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Fla.

Garrigus began the third round with a three-stroke lead over playing partner Kevin Na.

After three birdies on the first five holes to open up a four-shot edge, Garrigus, a 36-year-old Idaho native, hung on from there, carding two bogeys - including one on the par-4 18th at the Copperhead course - the rest of the way for a 1-under 70 and a 54-hole total of 8-under 205, one shot ahead of Na, who carded a 68.

Garrigus and Na were both put on the clock on the back nine. Each received an additional bad time but got to the clubhouse without another bad time, which would have resulted in a one-stroke penalty for the offending player.

John Senden matched South Africa's Retief Goosen for the low round of the tournament, a 7-under 64 Saturday, moving the Aussie into solo third at 6-under.

Senden told reporters the reason for his successful day was because of a better understanding of Copperhead's greens. "If you notice on the greens they look quite slope-y, but there's also a lot of grain in the greens . . . That makes it difficult for players to make putts, and that's what holds the scoring up at this place.

"You really have to challenge yourself on the greens to study them well and go out there and free-wheel it."

England's Justin Rose carded a 69 and is now in fourth at 5-under 208, while Goosen moved into fifth at 209 with Americans Charley Hoffman (67) and Scott Langley (69).

England's Luke Donald (67), who won the event in 2012, shares eighth at 210 with Jason Kokrak (68) and Italy's Matteo Manassero (71).

Defending champion Kevin Streelman shot even-par 71 and is tied for 24th at 213. Pat Perez, who shared the first-round lead with three others and began play Saturday four strokes behind Garrigus, carded a 77 to fall into a tie for 58th at 3-over 216.

For all the scores, visit http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html/?pid=y.