European golf’s Fabulous Five – Paul McGinley, Sergio Garcia, José Maria Olazábal, Lee Westwood and David Howell – will go into the final round of the World Golf Championships – NEC Invitational at Firestone Country Club with a superb chance of claiming the title.
After the weather delayed third round was completed early on Sunday morning, the quintet all found themselves in the top ten of the second WGC event of the season and within sight of the €1,046,024 (£716,332) first prize.
Of the five, McGinley is in the best position, carding par figures at the three holes he had to return to finish, for a 67 and a six under par total of 204, only one behind the joint leaders Kenny Perry and Tiger Woods.
“Obviously with the heavy overnight rain the course has softened up and that won’t exactly help me, playing into the hands of the longer hitters like Tiger,” he said. “But I am playing well and I am in a good position. This is still a very winnable tournament for me and I will be giving it my very best shot.”
Next best placed is Garcia, who produced the best finish of the morning, rolling in a testing four footer for par on the 17th – his first shot of the day – before firing a nine iron to nine feet at the 18th for a closing birdie three, a third round 67 and a five under par total of 205. Garcia will partner McGinley in the second last pairing in the final round.
Olazábal was one of the players who managed to finish his round on Saturday before the storms arrived and will start the final round at four under par 206 after his 66 while the English duo of Howell and Westwood will be hoping for a fast start in their quest for the title, beginning the final round at two under par 208, five shots off the lead.
