Originally created 11/13/05

Golf roundup



SHANGHAI, China - Tiger Woods is working his charm in a new market.

Woods, playing his first official stroke-play event in China, shot 5-under-par 67 on Saturday and enters the final round of the HSBC Champions one stroke behind leader David Howell of England.

Woods is tied for second at 15-under 201 with Nick O'Hern, who had 67 for the third consecutive round. Howell, who shared the lead with Australia's Nick Dougherty after the second round, missed a birdie putt on the last hole and settled for 68.

More than 1,000 people tracked Woods' group around Sheshan International Golf Club, with the crowd at least doubling at some holes. The new $5 million tournament is the richest in Asia, and Woods wants to leave his imprint.

"Considering this is the biggest golfing event they've ever had, I think it would be very special to have your name associated with that," he said.

Thailand's Thaworn Wirat-chant shot 68 and was at 204, one in front of U.S. Open champion Michael Campbell, Thomas Bjorn and Dougherty. Vijay Singh, ranked No. 2 in the world, had 70 and was six strokes behind the leader.

Woods had four birdies, a bogey and an eagle on his first 14 holes, including a 25-foot putt for a 3 at the par-5 14th.

TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS: In Mobile, Ala., Liselotte Neumann made a 15-foot birdie putt at the 18th hole for 5-under-par 67 and a one-stroke lead after three rounds of the LPGA Tour event.

Defending champion Heather Daly-Donofrio had 68 and joined Rachel Hetherington (72) and U.S. Solheim Cup star Christina Kim (72) at 10-under 206.

Hall of Famer Juli Inkster, looking for her first victory since the 2003 Evian Masters, birdied No. 18 for 68 and moved within three strokes of the lead at 8-under.

PGA TOUR QUALIFYING: Five golfers with area ties, including Augusta native Larry Mize, are headed to the final stage of the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament.

Mize tied for second place in his second stage qualifier at Hombre Golf Club in Panama City Beach, Fla. He closed with 72 in the 72-hole event.

The other area players made it through a qualifier in Kingwood, Texas, where the top 19 and ties advanced.

Aiken's Matt Hendrix (70 on Saturday) tied for third, and Augusta's John Engler (72) tied for seventh. Former Augustan Stiles Mitchell (74) and former Thomson resident Franklin Langham (77) were among a group of seven golfers who tied for 19th place.

Augusta's Scott Parel begins his second stage Wednesday at Lake Jovita Country Club in Dade City, Fla.

FRANKLIN TEMPLETON SHOOTOUT: In Naples, Fla., Fred Couples and Adam Scott used six straight birdies in the best-ball format to shoot 11-under-par 61 for a two-stroke lead heading into the final round of the team tournament. They are at 19 under for the team event.

Kenny Perry and John Huston teamed up for 63 and moved to 17-under, a stroke ahead of first-round leaders Fred Funk and Jason Gore, who followed an opening 63 with 65.