Tiger Woods has dominated the WGC - American Express Championship for three days solid now at Mount Juliet. Scott McCarron, one of his nearest challengers, spoke of how he only caught one fish in the adjacent River Nore last evening but perhaps a more pertinent question would be, can anyone catch the world number one?
McCarron was one of the many players who took advantage of the glorious heat wave conditions. The 37-year-old not only surpassed the course record 65 set by Woods on the first two days but his eight-under par 64 elevated the American into a tie for second on 14-under, five shots behind you-know-who.
Five others are lined up alongside McCarron, all looking to take a shot at Woods. But he wont be caught in this kind of form.
The 2001 USPGA Champion David Toms (69), the reigning European number one Retief Goosen (68), former Masters winner Vijay Singh (66), plus American duo Steve Lowery (69) and Jerry Kelly (70) make up the chasing pack.
While Woods couldn't match his opening 65's, today's 67 was another flawless display which concluded with two birdies. The 26-year-old has yet to drop a shot in this tournament.
"I have never won a tournament without making at least one bogey," said Woods who was keen to acknowledge the `gracious' crowds who descended on the Co Kilkenny estate to get a glimpse of him.
"I love coming over here, not only to play golf but to hang out and relax doing a spot of fishing and the people are so friendly," he said. "The crowds are so knowledgeable about the game, they understand golf. And when they cheer you on, it's almost like them saying thank you for coming to play here." He's not far wrong.
Padraig Harrington enjoyed such graciousness on the first day alongside Woods and today the Dubliner had no problems playing to the crowds during his 67, even if he was worried they would defect to the leading groups by the time he and USPGA Champion Rich Beem reached the turn.
"I said to Rich on the first tee, we better do something to keep these galleries after nine holes otherwise they'll be off to watch the leaders," said Harrington who climbed into a tie for 14th with a five-under back nine in 31. His 10-under aggregate leaves him as the leading European Ryder Cup player alongside Denmark's Thomas Bjorn who shot 66.
"Obviously I made a few birdies on the back nine which helped. It's nice to produce the goods for the crowds," he enthused. Today's official attendance of 31,242 was the largest single day crowd since the start of the World Golf Championships in 1999. Darren Clarke was first to tee-off this morning and afterwards he was somewhat more upbeat with his 70 but still languishes in 62nd spot on five-over despite getting advice from much distinguished company.
"I was mystified by my golf over the first two days. It's not like I haven't been putting the effort in on the range," said Clarke after being the last one out the range several evenings this week. "I've had lessons from Tiger (Woods), Vijay (Singh) and Nicky (Price) this week. Tiger gave me a few hints and hopefully things will click into place."
At the height of the day there was an unfortunate incident involving a buggy and several spectators to the right of the first hole prior to the final pairing teeing off. Woods stood away from his opening drive after a golf buggy driven by one of the WGC contract staff lost control and ran into the crowd.
Several people were injured but none seriously. One person suffered a suspected broken ankle. As a precaution three spectators, two women and a man, were taken by ambulance to the St Luke's Hospital in Kilkenny.
Saturday is traditionally considered moving day in championship golf, one where the players jostle into position to challenge in the final round. And although it was the Americans who make the most moving, filling seven out of the top 10 spots, there isn't any player in this field capable of giving Woods a five shot start and winning.
European Ryder Cup Players' Scores Padraig Harrington 67 (-10) Thomas Bjorn 66 (-10) Sergio Garcia 70 (-8) Niclas Fasth 72 (-7) Bernhard Langer 70 (-6) Colin Montgomerie 69 (-5) Darren Clarke 70 (+5)
US Ryder Cup Players' Scores Tiger Woods 67 (-19) David Toms 69 (-14) Davis Love III 68 (-12) Scott Hoch 67 (-10) Jim Furyk 69 (-9) David Duval 72 (-9) Scott Verplank 68 (-8) Phil Mickelson 71 (-3) Mark Calcavecchia 71 (-3) Paul Azinger 71 (+1)