Australians Jason Day and Adam Scott must cover the American pair if they are to clinch World Cup

     Adam Scott drives at the sixth hole yesterday.

 

GO AS low as you can and the team prize will take care of itself. That will be the basic strategy in the Australia versus US shootout at Royal Melbourne today.

Jason Day and Adam Scott simply have to collectively outscore Matt Kuchar and Kevin Streelman in the final round to win the World Cup.With all the combatants separated in the last four pairs, they can concentrate on their own bids to win the financially more appealing individual event.Day's five-under 66 yesterday vaulted him to nine-under, one ahead of Dane Thomas Bjorn in the individual event, with Kuchar a further two back in the chase for the $1.2 million winner's cheque from the $7 million purse. And the winning pair will also split $600,000 of the $1 million allocated for the teams' competition."The Australians are a strong team and the cushion we had has gone, so it's going to be exciting tomorrow,'' Kuchar said.Kuchar planned to catch up with Streelman last night to discuss ways of leapfrogging past the hometown pair."I hope to be a better teammate. So far, we haven't done a whole lot of talking,'' Kuchar said. Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar. End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar. "I've been dining with the wife and kids on room service and Kevin is here with his caddie. We haven't been out as much as a team. But I've talked to his caddie about strategies and there's a few strategies that I learned on this course that I'll share with Kevin.''Kuchar eased ahead of Streelman with a flawless three-under 68 as he again summoned the knowledge from his second place in the Australian Masters around the daunting Composite course last week."I haven't quite gone as low, but I can make a run at the title tomorrow. I didn't feel as in control and as sharp as I was, but I got up and down out of some pretty ugly places,'' he said.Bjorn and fourth-placed Italian Francesco Molinari don't have the team distraction today as they press for individual glory.

 

Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn, who hits out of a bunker during the third round, is in the running for individual honours today.

 

Bjorn's Danish teammate Thorbjorn Olesen slumped to a five-over 76 to leave them nine shots back, while Molinari's five-under 66 was a striking contrast to young compatriot Matteo Manassero.Manassero is a whopping 13-over, condemned to tee off in the first pairing today with similarly struggling Indian Gaganjeet Bhullar.``I play better on the front nine for some reason. It was a bit of a battle coming back in today, but I did well. The time I played the first four or so, holes (greens) were a bit softer with the rain and the rest were pretty much the same,'' Molinari said."We saw what happened to Stuart Manley today. It's a course that can bite you at any time. So, I hope to be not too far back to have the chance to play another good round."It's a good position to be in, especially after my first round (75). I left myself with much work to get back into it.''Molinari and his brother Eduardo won the 2009 World Cup in China. Eduardo is returning from injury in the South African Open this week while Francesco strives for World Cup individual honours."Winning the individual would be special on such a great golf course with so much history,'' he said.

Jason Day leads World Cup by 1

MELBOURNE, Australia -- Australian Jason Day shot a 5-under 66 on Saturday to take a one-stroke lead into the final round of the World Cup at Royal Melbourne.

Day had a three-round total of 9-under 204 playing in his first tournament since finding out eight relatives, including his grandmother, died in Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines on Nov. 9.

The wind at Royal Melbourne picked up Saturday, taking away any advantage some early morning rain provided in slowing down the slick greens.

"You just have to have some patience," Day said. "I like playing difficult golf courses; that's what I do better at."

Second-round leader Thomas Bjorn of Denmark shot 71 and was in second place, while American Matt Kuchar had 68 and was in third, three behind.

"I felt like I was in control, as sharp as I would have liked to be," Kuchar said. "I did miss out on a couple of good opportunities, but I also made a handful and got up and down from some pretty ugly places."

Australia leads the World Cup team standings at 11 under, one ahead of the U.S. team of Kuchar and Kevin Streelman.

Italy's Francesco Molinari moved up the leaderboard with a 66 and was fourth, while Streelman had a 74 and is in fifth place, five strokes out of the lead.

Molinari won the World Cup with his brother Edoardo in 2009.

"It was obviously a very good day," Molinari said of Saturday's round. "I seemed to play better on the front nine for some reason, and then it was a bit of a battle really coming back in. I dropped a shot on 16 and holed a few nice putts for par."

Stuart Manley of Wales had an incredibly up-and-down day, following a hole-in-one on the third with an 11 on the fourth. But he slowly recovered with an eagle and a birdie on the back nine to finish with a 72, and was tied for eighth.

"The highest high to the lowest low," Manley said.

Masters champion Adam Scott also was tied for eighth after a 68. After an opening 75 that included an 11 on one hole, the Australian has slowly moved up the leaderboard as he attempts to win his third tournament in a row.

But Scott said the Royal Melbourne greens are wearing him down. He won last week's Australian Masters at Royal Melbourne after winning the Australian PGA the week before and will try to win the Australian Open next week at Royal Sydney to capture the so-called Triple Crown.

"I've hit so many putts from 50 and 60 feet in the last two weeks, it's hard to make them all the time," Scott said. "It's hard to even just two-putt them around here because you're fearful of knocking it 7 or 8 feet by all the time."

Stuart Manley follows ace with 11

MELBOURNE, Australia -- Welsh golfer Stuart Manley went from a hole-in-one to an 11 at Royal Melbourne on Saturday in the third round of the World Cup.

The good part came on the par-3 third when Manley moved into a share of second place with the ace with an 8-iron on the 176-yard hole.

Manley patted the roof of the car after the shot, thinking he had won it, but the car is only available for a hole-in-one on Sunday during the final round.

Before he had a chance to see himself on the leaderboard, Manley went from a 1 to double figures on the par-4 fourth. A bad tee shot and a pitch that kept rolling off the green and back down to his feet in the gully dropped him into a tie for 15th.

Manley, who shot an opening-round 67 and then a 72 on Friday, reacquired his European Tour card for next year at last week's qualifying tournament in Spain, then made a rushed trip to Australia.

It's his first time playing at Royal Melbourne -- he came here in 2005 in an attempt to get into a tournament, but never got in as a reserve.

The 346th-ranked Manley intended to play in the team event for Wales, but his scheduled partner, Jamie Donaldson, withdrew with a back injury. That forced Manley to play as one of eight individuals in the 60-player field.

Vijay Singh earlier had trouble on the same fourth hole, hitting his approach on the sloping green to about eight feet, only to see it slide away and off the green into the gully. But Singh only made bogey.

Isleworth to host World Challenge

Tiger Woods' annual World Challenge event will leave Southern California after this year and relocate in 2014 to the place he used to live and hone his game.

The 18-player, 72-hole event -- which will be played for the 14th time at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, Calif., on Dec. 5-8 -- will move to Isleworth Country Club near Orlando next year. The scheduled dates are Dec. 4-7.

Until moving to Jupiter, Fla., in 2011, Woods had lived in the gated community since turning pro in 1996 and did the majority of his practice and preparation at Isleworth, which consistently ranks among the toughest courses in Florida.

The tournament will have an association with the Tavistock Group, which owns the course and has sponsored a long-time event known as the Tavistock Cup, a 36-hole exhibition. Both Woods' and Tavistock's foundations will benefit.

"We have a longstanding relationship with Tavistock Group and my friend, Joe Lewis, and I am thrilled to see it grow in support of our foundations,'' Woods said in a statement. "... I'm looking forward to this next phase of the World Challenge and what it can bring to Florida."

The move is a bit of a surprise, given Woods' California roots. He grew up in nearby Cypress and his foundation is located in Irvine. Along with his late father, Earl, Woods put together the World Challenge as a way to raise funds for his foundation, and after one year in Scottsdale in 1999, it moved to Sherwood.

Woods has developed several fund-raising vehicles for his foundation, but the World Challenge has always been viewed as dearest to him because of his father's input. After Chevron left as a title sponsor two years ago, the foundation had difficulty securing a new one. Woods even put up what was believed to be $4 million of his own money for the purse last year, with Graeme McDowell pocketing $1 million for the victory.

Northwestern Mutual was secured as this year's title sponsor, but it's just a one-year deal. The move to Isleworth, so far, is for one year, which means other Tavistock venues, including Lake Nona in Orlando or even properties in the Bahamas, could be used to stage the event in the future.

"We've got a multiyear contract with Tavistock Group and we're committed to have that event at Isleworth in 2014," said Greg McLaughlin, the president and CEO of the Tiger Woods Foundation. "We will then review and evaluate beyond that. We haven't done any planning beyond 2014. We're obviously focused on this year."

Woods' foundation is supported by two other PGA Tour events -- the Deutsche Bank Championship and the AT&T National, where the title sponsor is not expected to remain beyond the coming year.

"It's been one of those times, unfortunately for a lot of charities, where it's a tough economic climate right now for anyone to try and raise money,'' Woods said last month during a conference call to promote the tournament. "Luckily our foundation really got going with this event, some of our other events that we run. We were in that boom.

"I think we've got a lot of awareness and equity built in through all those years. I think that's why we're still able to raise the money that we're able to raise, just because people are aware of it and they understand what we're trying to do and the message is already out.''

Since 2009, the World Challenge has awarded world ranking points. Woods has won the tournament five times.

Scott Brown in front at Pebble Beach

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. -- Scott Brown shot a 4-under 68 at Spyglass Hill on Friday and leads the Pebble Beach Invitational by one stroke over Jason Kokrak after two rounds.

Brown had two bogeys and six birdies, all within 10 feet. He is at 10-under 134 for the tournament.

"It was nothing too crazy," said Brown, who earned first PGA Tour win last season at the Puerto Rico Open. "I hit a few shots and made a few putts. It was just a good vibe day."

Kokrak, who opened with a 67 at Pebble Beach, had a 68 at Del Monte. Kokrak also had six birdies and two bogeys.

Morgan Hoffmann, who opened with a bogey-free 65 at Spyglass for a one-shot lead over four players, shot a 71 at Pebble Beach. Hoffmann had four bogeys and five birdies and is third at 136.

Starting on the back nine at Spyglass, Brown opened with two birdies and followed with two bogeys. He then had four birdies and no bogeys the rest of the round.

"I am really not doing anything differently," said Brown, now early in his third PGA Tour season. "I just feel a lot more comfortable out there then I did a few years ago. Not doing anything too crazy is good."

Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam, who has played in the event several times since her LPGA retirement in 2008, had a 71 at Del Monte en route to a 141 total.

Defending champion Tommy Gainey, Chesson Hadley, Ted Potter, Jr. and Brown trailed by one after 18 holes. But Gainey stumbled to a 13-stroke swing with a 78 at Spyglass Hill.

Gainey is grouped among seven players at par 144. Hadley carded a 73 at Spyglass and is grouped with seven players at 139. Potter, Jr., shot 71 and is tied with four other players at 137.

John Cook, who had a 70 at Del Monte, and Kirk Triplett are among five players at 139 and the low scorers among nine Champions Tour players.

The 42nd event includes 80 professionals from the PGA, LPGA, Champions and Web.com Tours competing for the same prize money. The winner earns $60,000 of the $300,000 purse.

Caddie Williams to reduce schedule

MELBOURNE, Australia -- Adam Scott's caddie Steve Williams plans to cut down on his schedule after next year, slowly putting to an end a 35-year career carrying the golf bags of Raymond Floyd, Greg Norman and most successfully, Tiger Woods.

Williams, who turns 50 in late December, said Saturday at Royal Melbourne -- where Scott is playing in the World Cup -- that 2014 will be his last full season with this year's Masters winner.

Beginning in 2015, he'll work six or seven months of the year, basically from the Florida swing in March on the PGA Tour through to the Tour Championship in September. That will enable him to concentrate on his other love of car racing in his native New Zealand.

Williams caddied for Woods for 12 years, winning 13 majors with the man who fired him in 2011.

"It's one of the greatest jobs if you like golf, but it's not something I feel I want to do my whole life," Williams told The Associated Press in an interview.

"I certainly enjoy working with Adam, and I hope we can have more success together. If I enjoy doing the half-season, I will do it for five more years. If I don't enjoy it, I will have to think about it."

Instead, he'll devote more time to car racing -- super saloon and saloon cars in New Zealand, referred to as late model in North America.

"I've always been passionate about my racing, and to be fair, I've probably only got four or five years left at the top level," Williams said.

"I had one season when Tiger was out for whatever reason he wasn't playing, and that was one of my most successful seasons."

Williams is still fit as he approaches 50 and works out every day.

"I travel a lot because I go back to New Zealand on my weeks off," he said. "I race speedway, so you've got to be fit and sharp to be driving against guys who are mostly younger than me."

Williams may be golf's best-known caddie, mostly for his partnership with Woods. But it ended badly, and along the way Williams picked up a fair amount of notoriety.

At an awards night for caddies in Shanghai in November 2011, Williams received an award for best TV interview -- when Williams said after his new employer Scott won at the Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone that it was "the best win of my life."

When he received the mock award, Williams made a racial comment directed at Woods, a slur he apologized for when he saw Woods the following week at the Australian Open.

Woods and Williams remain distant, something Williams would like to try to change.

"I think Tiger and I need to sit down and have a conversation," Williams said Saturday. "That opportunity hasn't arisen yet, but that's something I'd like to do."

Williams, who played as a young teenager off a 2 handicap and caddied for five-time British Open winner Peter Thomson as a 13-year-old at the New Zealand Open, says he's pleased with his success over more than three decades in golf.

"I'm very proud that I've worked at length with several players, and the success I've had with every player I've caddied for," Williams said.

2013 World Cup of Golf: day three updates

Australia’s Jason Day has taken the outright lead late in the third round of golf’s World Cup at Royal Melbourne.

Day, who started the round on four under par, has picked up four shots in 15 holes on Saturday to climb to eight under.

Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn, who led the tournament on eight under at the start of the day, has fallen to seven under and second spot with three holes left in his round.

Day hit the front with birdies on the par 4 13th and par 5 15th holes. Earlier, Adam Scott shot a three-under par round of 68 to move to two under overall, six shots behind his fellow Australian.

2.10pm: Team Australia is making their move at the World Cup at Royal Melbourne. Rock-solid rounds starts on day three from Jason Day and Adam Scott have catapulted the hosts to within just two shots of the overnight

leader in the traditional team's event, United States duo Matt Kuchar and Kevin Streelman.

While he might have left his run too late in the race for the individual crown, Scott's effort in going three under through 15 holes on Saturday has helped push Australia's combined score to seven under, two behind the Americans at nine under.

Day has also kept him his end of the bargain, notching two birdies - and a bogey - to be one under through his first seven holes.

The United States went the third round seven shots ahead of the Australia in the $1 million team's event, but an early-round meltdown from Streelman has cost them.

Streelman, also runner-up in the individual event overnight at seven under, has had two bogeys and a double bogey to slip back to be three over for the day and four under overall.

Kuchar, though, has managed to hold his round together, sliding in two birdies in his first eight holes to be two under on the day and five under overall.

Overnight leader Thomas Bjorn from Denmark still leads the $7 million individual event at nine under (one under through six holes on day three) ahead of five players on five under, including Day, Kuchar and the bolter of the third round, Italian star Francesco Molinari (-5 through 13 holes).

1.40pm: Australia's Adam Scott is still nine shots off the lead during the third round of the golf World Cup at Royal Melbourne. Denmark's Thomas Bjorn, who is about to start his round, is in the lead on eight under par, with American Kevin Streelman on seven under and Australian Jason Day equal third on four under.

Scott is still one over par, having had a birdie and a bogey in his first eight holes today.

11.50am: Australia's Adam Scott is failing to make any ground early in his third round of golf's World Cup at Royal Melbourne.

Scott started the day on one over par, nine shots behind Denmark's Thomas Bjorn, and he's still nine shots behind the leader after parring the first three holes.

Australia's other entrant Jason Day, who is on four under par, will tee off just before 1pm (AEDT) in the second-last group.

Day claims World Cup of Golf lead

Melbourne, Australia (SportsNetwork.com) - Jason Day birdied three of his last six holes on Saturday to close out a 5-under 66 and claim a 1-stroke lead at the World Cup of Golf.

Day, who is seeking his first win since the 2010 Byron Nelson Championship, finished three rounds at Royal Melbourne Golf Club at 9-under-par 204.

"The green speed wasn't as fast as yesterday, especially through 16, 17 and 18," Day said in a televised interview. "I liked how the course was set up. I think the guys did a good job doing that and very excited how I played today."

Second-round leader Thomas Bjorn managed just an even-par 71 during his third round to sit in second place at 8-under 205.

Matt Kuchar (68) is in third at 6-under, while Francesco Molinari (66) owns fourth at minus-5 and Kevin Streelman (74) is fifth at 4-under.

Graeme McDowell (67) and Hideto Tanihara (71) share sixth place at 3-under 210.

Day's move to the top of the leaderboard caused Australia to jump ahead of the United States for the lead in the team portion of the competition with a combined score of 11-under-par 415. TheAmerican team of Streelman and Kuchar sit a shot back at 10-under.

Bjorn entered the day with a 1-stroke lead over Streelman and quickly added to his advantage with a birdie at the first, moving him to 9-under.

Stuart Manley then joined Streelman in second as he opened his round with back-to-back birdies at the first and second before recording a hole-in-one at the third.

Manley, however, followed that fast start with an 11 at the par-4 fourth to fall all the way to even-par and hand Day, who birdied the first and second to reach minus-6, second place. Streelman had bogeyed the second and fourth around a double-bogey 5 at the third to lose his share of second.

Day would bogey the fifth to drop to minus-5 and into a tie with Molinari, Kuchar, Tanihara and Ricardo Santos, handing Bjorn a 4-stroke lead.

Bjorn then dropped a shot at the seventh to cut his advantage to three before Day pulled ahead of the pack with a birdie at the ninth to claim sole possession of second place.

Day later moved within a stroke of the lead with a birdie at the 13th, and was handed a share of first place when Bjorn bogeyed the par-3 14th after finding a greenside bunker with his tee shot.

Day briefly pulled ahead with a birdie at the 15th from about 15 feet, but Bjorn answered with a lengthy birdie putt of his own at the 16th to meet the Australian at 8-under.

The tie was shortlived, however, as Day regained the outright lead with a birdie at the 17th. He would 2-putt for par at the last to finish at 9-under.

"I got off to a good start with two birdies, but during the middle of my round it started to get away a little bit," said Day. "I just stayed patient, just let it happen and coming home I holed a lot of good putts."

Bjorn followed with the final group of the day and found trouble when his second shot came up short of the green and landed in a bunker, but he nearly holed his next shot and tapped in for par to remain a shot off the pace.

NOTES: Day is teamed with Adam Scott, who shot 68 on Saturday and sits in a tie for eighth place at 2-under-par 211 ... The tournament consists of 60 players representing 34 different countries based on the Official World Golf Ranking. The top two players from each country are teamed up and their scores are combined to account for their team score ... Kuchar won the team event with Gary Woodland the last time this tournament was contested in 2011 ... The last time the World Cup was won by the host country's team as in 1996 when the South African team of Ernie Els and Wayne Westner when the event was held in Cape Town, South Africa ... A victory in the team competition would be the fifth by Australia.