Ogilvy storms six clear

Australian makes move in Hawaii

Last updated: 11th January 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Ogilvy storms six clear

Ogilvy: rolled in eight birdes

I've never actually been this far in front before, but I've been this far behind a lot of times.

Geoff Ogilvy
Quotes of the week

Third round leaderboard
-19 G Ogilvy (Aus)
-13 J Leonard (US)
-13 DJ Trahan (US)
-12 A Kim (US)
-12 D Love III (US)
-12 K Perry (US)
-12 C Villegas (Col)

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Geoff Ogilvy will take a six-shot lead into the final round of the Mercedes-Benz Championship after firing an eight-under 65 on Saturday.

The former US Open champion raced away from his rivals with four birdies and five pars on each half of the Kapalua Plantation Course in Hawaii to reach 19-under-par for the tournament.

American pair Justin Leonard and DJ Trahan are the nearest challengers on 13-under-par at the PGA Tour's season opening event.

"I've never actually been this far in front before, but I've been this far behind a lot of times," said Ogilvy, who got off to a good start with birdies at the first, fourth, fifth and ninth.

He started the back nine with a birdie at the 10th and then had a run of three straight starting at the 13th.

Surprise

"I played well, obviously," he added. "It was a different course than I've ever seen before. Just a gentle wind in completely the opposite direction that I've ever seen it. So it was different."

Leonard also signed for a 65 to move into a tie for second with Trahan, who managed a three-under 70.

"Played solid. Probably as well as I did yesterday, but I feel like I made a few more putts," said Leonard.

"I was looking at the leaderboards on the back nine, but I never saw Geoff's section, so I didn't know where he was.

"And then when I got to 18, I saw he was at 19 under. So it was a little deflating, to say the least."

Long season

However, Leonard is not going to let the deficit affect his play on Sunday, especially as it is the first event of a long season.

"I'm just going to go out and try and continue getting the rust off, like I have the last couple of days, and, you know, try and end the week on a good note," he reasoned.

Camilo Villegas, Davis Love III, Kenny Perry and Anthony Kim are at 12-under 207 with KJ Choi another stroke back.

Defending champion Daniel Chopra of Sweden signed for a six-under 67 and is in the clubhouse at four-under-par.