Woodland Moves to Front of Farmers Insurance Open


During a tough day for scoring on the South course at Torrey Pines, Gary Woodland carded a 2-under 70 to take the lead in the $6.1 million Farmers Insurance Open.

Woodland posted four birdies through 14 holes before a bogey on the par-4 15th. After a another birdie on the par-3 16th, the 29-year-old fell back to the field with a double-bogey on the 17th. He parred the 18th for the 70 and a three-round total of 8-under 208.

Woodland, a two-time winner on Tour, spoke for many players when he said during a TV interview that South - site of the 2008 U.S. Open and boasting fairway-side rough almost like America's annual golf championship - is playing difficult. "The golf course is very tough - the greens are firm and fast and there's no let-up."

As for his chances in Sunday's final round, Woodland added, "We got a pretty good game plan now and we're executing pretty well now."

One stroke back are Australia's Marc Leishman, who carded an even-par 72 and Jordan Spieth.

After opening with rounds of 71 on South and a 63 on North, 36-hole leader Spieth was off most of the day. The 20-year-old had a birdie, two bogeys and a bogey on the front nine to make the turn in 3-over 39, then had two birdies and two bogeys on the back for a 3-over 75.

"The course was gettable - you just have to get in the fairway. I'm only one shot back; it's going to take a good score tomorrow," Spieth said at greenside.

Pat Perez and Morgan Hoffman both carded 72s for a share of fourth at 210, while three behind Woodland are Rory Sabbatini (69), Ryo Ishikawa (69), Will MacKenzie (70), Scott Stallings (72), Brad Fritsch (72), Nicolas Colsaerts (75) and Andres Romero, who had Saturday's low round of 5-under 67.

Playing in the final group with Spieth and Colsaerts, Stewart Cink ballooned to a 79.

Defending champion and No. 1-ranked Tiger Woods also carded a 7-over 79 after opening with rounds of 72 and 71. Woods posted two doubles, seven bogeys and four birdies to miss the secondary cut, which reduced the field to the top-70 players and ties after the third round.

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