Finishing blues cost Jeev dear; Tiger keeps lead

HAZELTINE - Finishing blues got to Indian golfer Jeev Milkha Singh for the third straight day as he dropped bogeys on the final two holes to once again go over par at 74 and dropped one place on the third day in the 91st PGA Championships.

Jeev, tied ninth last year at the same championships last year, shot a 74 and is now at five-over 221 in tied 49th place. Among those tied at the same score are 2003 US Open champion Jim Furyk and Fred Couples.

With the National Golf Club playing tough, Jeev had two bogeys on the front nine and turned in two-over. However with three birdies on the 11th, 14th and 16th against one bogey on 12th, he hauled himself back to even par.

But just as he may have entertained hopes of a sub-par round, he ended with bogeys on 17th and 18th. In the first round, Jeev had bogeyed the 16th and 17th. “So that stretch has been a problem for me, said Jeev.

Jeev, who is unlikely to get to top-10 as he did last season, will have to play a real solid final round to attract attention as a Captain’s Pick for the International team for President’s Cup, as the 11th and only top-10 from President’s Cup standings earn an automatic berth. But his overall showing over the past year could earn him a Captain’s Pick from Greg Norman.

Even as Jeev was playing below his potential, Korean Yang Yong-eun gave Asian hopes a big boost as his brilliant five-under 67 whittled down Tiger Woods four-shot lead at the top. Yang, who beat Woods by two shots at the 2007 HSBC Champions in Shanghai, is now six-under 210 and just two behind the World No. 1.

Tied with Yang is the defending champion Padraig Harrington, who bogeyed the 18th during his round of 69.

Keeping in mind Tiger’s amazing record while in lead, Yang said, “You never know in the world of sports and the game of golf. So I’ll just try to make every shot, just focus on every shot that I have. And then tomorrow, I may end up inside the top 10, top three and even win the PGA Championship. You never know. And that experience (in Shanghai) will certainly help.”

“I’m nervous, but I’ve been looking forward to it,” added Yang.

Asian Tour honorary member Vijay Singh slipped out of contention after a 75, which left him in a share of 18th place while Japan’s Hiroyuki Fujita and another Korean, K.J. Choi carded 73s for tied 26th place on 218.

Thai star Thongchai Jaidee, the current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader, also carded a 73 which included four birdies, for joint 39th position while Korea’s Charlie Wi is equal 65th after a 75.