Garrigus maintains slender lead

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bruced
March 17, 2014

Robert Garrigus carded a one-under-par 70 to claim a one-shot lead after the third round of the Valspar Championship on Saturday.

At seven-under, one shot behind Garrigus is fellow American Kevin Na, who carded a 68 to jump into contention after 54 holes.

“This is the position you want,” Garrigus said after his round at the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook.

“You want to be there, you want to be in contention. I missed that little one on the last hole, and the one on 12 or whatever it was, those were two bad strokes. I didn’t start them where I wanted to.

“Those were the first two bad ones all week. They were my first bad strokes and that’s probably why I’m in the lead.”

Na moved to seven-under after chipping in for birdie on the 15th, before closing with three consecutive pars.

“Thought I played very well today,” Na told reporters after his round.

“The front nine, I felt like I hit it pretty great. Didn’t hit too many bad shots.

“The back nine, I felt like I had a few bad swings out there, but luckily my short game was right there to keep me in it.”

John Senden is in third place on six-under following his seven-under 64, while US Open champion Justin Rose’s two-under 69 was enough to hand him fourth place at five-under.

Retief Goosen, a former winner there, also carded a 64 on the day to move into a tie for fifth place on four-under.

The two-time major champion shares the position with Charley Hoffman (67) and Scott Langley (69).

Former world number one and 2012 champion Luke Donald (67) is in a share of eighth place alongside Matteo Manassero (71) and Jason Kokrak (68).