January 6,2013: The Hyundai Tournament of Champions has got interesting as it enters the final day at Maui in Kapalua with Webb Simpson, Jordan Speith and Zach Johnson in joint lead.
Webb Simpson was the first to reach 14-under 205, thanks to a terrific par save on the 17th and a long two-putt par on the 18th hole, a par 5 with a front hole location that made it difficult to get close because the green and the grain move sharply away.
The promising 20-year-old Texan, Jordan Speith looks just as good as he did during a sensational rookie season, got back into the mix with a tough birdie on the par-3 eighth and capped off a 69 with a 15-foot birdie putt on the 17th and a long two-putt for par on the 18th.
Spieth won the John Deere Classic last year. This is his first time with at least a share of the 54-hole lead.
“This is a new position for me,” Spieth said. “I’ve never slept on a 54-hole lead. I’m excited about it and it’s going to be a fun time tomorrow to get to play with Webb for the third time this week.”
The most daunting figure is Johnson, whose power is suited for the Plantation Course. Johnson also had a 69 and was disappointed at playing the par 5s in 3-under for the day. One of them was a tap-in eagle on the par-5 ninth. But he had to settle for pars on the long holes on the back nine.
One shot hit the front of the green and rolled off the putting surface on the 15th and into a valley. On the 18th, his 4-iron came up short and left him a pitch that had to be perfect. It was a few inches from that. The pitch didn’t have enough roll to glide with the grain and left him a 15-foot birdie chance that he missed.
“Other than that, I played pretty good,” Johnson said.
However, he’s still tied for the lead, still in good position to start the new year the same way he did in 2013.
Zach Johnson, who had a three-shot lead going into the third round, could not manage his status after shooting a 74. His only birdie was a two-putt on the par-5 fifth hole. Still, he was only two shots behind at 12-under 207 heading into the Monday finish.
Instead of building his lead, Zach Johnson effectively gave more players in this winners-only field a chance.
Gary Woodland (67), PGA champion Jason Dufner (69), Brandt Snedeker (69) and Kevin Streelman, who had a 33 on the back nine to salvage a 70, were within three shots of the lead. Masters champion Adam Scott wasted a chance to join them.
