Villegas motors clear

Colombian three ahead after third round of Honda Classic

Last updated: 7th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Villegas motors clear

Villegas: made move on front nine

Third round leaderboard
(US unless stated)
-11 C Villegas
-8 N Green (Aus)
-8 V Singh (Fij)
-6 M Every
-6 G McNeill
-5 M Connell
-5 A Kim

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Camilo Villegas will take a three-shot advantage into the final day of the Honda Classic after firing a third-round 67.

The Colombian, bidding for his third PGA Tour title, was tied for the lead with Anthony Kim overnight but raced clear with a front nine of 31, including four birdies.

His charge was halted by three bogeys in the first five holes of his back nine but another birdie at the 16th - his sixth of the day - was enough to keep him firmly in charge.

"Four-under on the front was pretty unbelievable the way it was playing," Villegas said. "And then a couple hiccups there on the back, which is - I mean, you always wish that didn't happen, but it's golf and they happen.

"I kind of knew what I had to do. I know (those holes) were going to be playing really tough, and just had to pick good targets, put good swings and that's exactly what I did."

Villegas' 11-under-par total is three ahead of Fiji's Vijay Singh and Australian Nathan Green, with American duo George McNeill (69) and Matt Every (69) two further back on six under.

Green produced a three-under effort of 67 on Saturday, while Singh - without a win for 18 months - signed for a 69.

Kim, who started level with Villegas on eight under, had a day to forget, finishing with three straight bogeys in a 73. He now sits alongside compatriot Michael Connell (69) in a tie for sixth at five-under-par.

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell (71) heads the European challenge at four-under-par, while Englishman Paul Casey (70) is one further adrift.