Two-shot swing on final hole gives Chopra two-shot lead at Buick Open

6/29/2008

GRAND BLANC, Mich. (AP) -- Daniel Chopra's tendency to be wild off the tee and accurate from the rough led Todd Hamilton's caddie to give him a nickname at the Buick Open.

Now, he has another moniker: Buick Open third-round leader.

Chopra shot a 4-under 68 on Saturday to reach 16 under at Warwick Hills and take a two-shot lead into the final round. He made a 15-foot putt for birdie on the last hole after Dudley Hart bogeyed it to earn a cushion.

Hart (70), Bubba Watson (68) and Woody Austin (69) were 14 under.

Second-round leader Bo Van Pelt (73) was another shot back along with Kenny Perry (67), the highest-ranked player in a lackluster field that includes just three of the top 30 players in the world.

Chopra said any of the 10 players who are 12 under or better have a chance to win at Warwick Hills, one of the easier courses on the PGA Tour.

Leaderboard – Round 3:

1. Daniel Chopra              SWE  65 67 68 200 -16
2. Bubba Watson              USA  67 67 68 202 -14
    Woody Austin               USA  66 67 69 202 -14
    Dudley Hart                  USA  64 68 70 202 -14
5. Kenny Perry                  USA  69 67 67 203 -13
    Bo Van Pelt                   USA  64 66 73 203 -13
7. Briny Baird                    USA  65 71 68 204 -12
    Charles Warren             USA  67 68 69 204 -12
    Ken Duke                     USA  69 66 69 204 -12
    Matt Jones                    AUS  70 63 71 204 -12

Source: AP, PGA Tour