Dustin Johnson has 3-shot lead, 5 over Tiger Woods, going into final round of US Open
By Eddie Pells, APSunday, June 20, 2010
Final round of Open under way with Johnson leading
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — If Dustin Johnson or Tiger Woods are looking for inspiration at Pebble Beach on Sunday, they might want to chat with Jim Herman.
Herman, a Nationwide Tour player who made it to the U.S. Open through sectional qualifying, shot a 5-under 30 on the front nine and finished at 3-under 68. He finished at 14 over for the tournament — well out of contention, but was one of the few early finishers who enjoyed a good fourth round.
Herman finished nearly three hours before Johnson, Woods and Graeme McDowell were scheduled to take the course for a Father’s Day round that will end in prime time on the East Coast.
Johnson, who won his second straight Pebble Beach National Pro-Am earlier this year, heads into the final round with a three-shot lead over McDowell, with Woods and his 14 majors lurking five shots behind.
Also in the mix are Ernie Els (even) and Phil Mickelson (1 over), who will be playing together. Woods will play with Gregory Havret, a European Tour player ranked 391st in the world who finished the third round at even par.
The final round began under partly cloudy skies, although the greater concern at Pebble Beach was the wind.
As was the case Saturday, the USGA set the course up to promote good scoring in spots.
The tee box on No. 4 has been moved up about 15 yards, to 318 yards from the center of the green. Playing downwind, the hole should be drivable, as it was Saturday, when four players made eagle there. Herman made eagle on No. 4 on Sunday.
The famous seventh hole that juts out over the Monterey Peninsula will play at 92 yards, with the tee box spread out so players can choose which angle they want to come in on for the downhill shot. The first 39 players through the seventh hole combined for only three birdies, though.
And the tee box on the par-5 18th has been moved up 30 yards to encourage players to try for the green in two, as the USGA looks to add drama to a tournament that will finish during prime time on the East Coast.
Spain’s Pablo Martin teed off first, played alone and finished his round in 2 hours, 39 minutes. He shot 79 and finished the tournament 27 over — still a nice weekend on one of America’s most beautiful golf courses.
“Me and my caddie, it was a nice walk, checking the course,” he said. “Pretty cool. It’s so nice over here in Pebble Beach. I’m happy we can get to play for free.”
