Goosen, Immelman lead South African challenge at Wachovia

ATLANTA (Reuters) – Retief Goosen and Trevor Immelman kept
the South African flag flying high with strong finishes in the
Wachovia Championship third round in Charlotte, North Carolina
on Saturday.

Twice U.S. Open winner Goosen reeled off seven birdies in
the last nine holes for a seven-under-par 65, ending a day of
low scoring tied for second with his compatriot at 10-under
206.

Immelman picked up four shots over the treacherous closing
stretch at Quail Hollow Club for a 66, signing off in style by
rolling in a 20-foot birdie putt at the last.

The South African duo will start Sunday’s final round one
stroke behind American Jim Furyk, with teeoff times brought
forward five hours because of thunderstorms forecast for the
afternoon.

“I’m happy where I am and hopefully tomorrow we can get 18
holes in,” Goosen told reporters after marring his superb run
with a bogey at the par-four 18th, where he pulled his drive
into a creek lining the left of the fairway.

“It could be a long day out there tomorrow playing in
three-balls, especially if it’s going to be raining with
umbrellas and whatever.

“I’m hitting the ball pretty good, and that gives me
confidence going into tomorrow.”

Goosen, U.S. Open champion at Southern Hills in 2001 and
Shinnecock Hills in 2004, triggered his red-hot finish by
chipping in for birdie at the par-four 11th.

“That’s when things really started turning around,” the
37-year-old said after making the most of greens softened by
overnight rain. “I felt like something started happening.”

He went on to birdie 12 and 13, where he holed a 25-footer,
before picking up further shots at 15, 16 and 17.

“The greens were holding and rolling perfect,” Goosen
added. “It was really just the rain that softened up the course
that made the scoring easier today.”

Immelman was delighted after giving himself a chance to
clinch a maiden PGA Tour title.

“My putter hung in there with me, so that was nice,” the
26-year-old from Cape Town said after covering the last 12
holes in seven under. “All in all, a pretty solid round.

“I think I’m starting to find my feet a little bit over
here,” added Immelman, who tied for seventh at the Nissan Open
in Los Angeles in February.

“Playing a full schedule this year, I knew I could kind of
pace myself and maybe try and gain some momentum as the year
goes.

“I don’t think I’ve tried to force it as much, and that’s a
nice feeling. I think that’s a sign I’m starting to feel a
little more comfortable.”

(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles)