G-Mac Retains Lead in World Challenge


Graeme McDowell might have lost a stroke to the field, but the 33-year-old Northern Irishman still maintained his lead in Tiger Woods' annual World Challenge Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, Calif.

Starting the third round with a three-stroke edge, McDowell followed up his 6-under 66 Friday with a 68 to reach 13-under 203 for a two-stroke heading into Sunday. The tournament's 2010 winner posted three birdies on the front nine and another on the back to go up by two over Keegan Bradley, who shot a 67.

Sharing third in the $4 million, 18-player event at 208 are Woods (69) and Bo Van Pelt (70), while another stroke back is Jim Furyk (71). Rickie Fowler (70) is next at 210, with first-round pacesetter Nick Watney (71) in seventh at 211.

Woods said the unusually damp conditions in Southern California, which caused lift-clean-and-place rules to be in place for balls hit in the short grass, have made scoring difficult. "It's wet and long," Woods said during a televised interview.

"Overall it's hard to get the ball close. You've got to hit so much club to get the spin off the ball, and some of these pins are hard to get at. I've missed a lot of (birdie) opportunities and consequently I'm not in double digits under par and closer to the lead."

Tied for eighth at 4-under 212 are Bubba Watson (67), Steve Stricker (68) and Webb Simpson (69). Zach Johnson (70), Dustin Johnson (72) and Matt Kuchar (72) share 11th at 214, with Hunter Mahan (71) next at 1-under 215.

Rounding out the field in 15th at 216 are Ian Poulter (71), Brandt Snedeker (73) and Jason Dufner (75), with Jason Day (72) in last place at 218.

For all the scores, visit http://www.pgatour.com/r/leaderboard.