BETHESDA, Md. — Tiger Woods played in front of the largest crowd of the day, even though it never topped 100 people. Brendon de Jonge had as many birdies - three - as people in his gallery on a strange, silent Saturday at the AT&T National.
A violent wind storm overnight that toppled dozens of trees and littered the course with limbs forced tournament officials to keep many spectators and all but the essential volunteers away from Congressional for the third round. Considering the amount of debris, it was surprising they even played.
De Jonge was steady in the steamy heat for a third consecutive round in the 60s, this one a 2-under-par 69 that gave him a one-shot lead over Woods, Bo Van Pelt and S.Y. Noh headed into today’s final round.
Woods and Van Pelt each shot 67, and Noh had a 69.
De Jonge, a South African going for his first PGA Tour victory, made his final birdie on the 12th hole with a wedge out of the rough that rolled over a ridge and settled about 12 feet behind the cup. It was worthy of applause, but there was only one person in the gallery to see it - Kandi Mahan, the wife of Hunter Mahan.
De Jonge was at 7-under 206 and will play in the final group with Van Pelt and Woods, who is going for his third victory this year. Woods won the AT&T National the last time it was held at Congressional in 2009.
CHAMPIONS Two share Players lead
PITTSBURGH - Mark Calcavecchia shot a 6-underpar 64 Saturday for a share of the third-round lead with Joe Daley in the Senior Players Championship.
Calcavecchia matched Daley at 12-under 198 at Fox Chapel. Daley had a 68.
EUROPEAN TOUR Donaldson on top
PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland - Jamie Donaldson shot a 3-under-par 69 Saturday to take a one-stroke lead into the final round of the Irish Open, while Rory McIlroy finished six shots back.
Donaldson moved to 12 under despite a mixed round that featured an eagle, four birdies and three bogeys. The Welshman is one shot ahead of Anthony Wall, with Padraig Harrington and Mark Foster another shot back at 10 under.
McIlroy improved 13 spots to tie for 11th with a 71, while France’s Gregory Bourdy toppled from the leaderboard with an 80.
WEB.COM TOUR
Presnell leads by two
NEWBURGH, IND. - Alistair Presnell leads the United Leasing Championship by two strokes after the third round of play in the Web.com, formerly Nationwide Tour, event.
Presnell shot a 3-under-par 69 Saturday and is two shots ahead of seven competitors at the Victoria National Golf Club.
Tag Ridings (Arkansas Razorbacks) is three shots back at 208. Ridings fired a 4 under Saturday. David Lingmerth (Razorbacks) is four shots back at 209. Lingmerth had an even-par round of 72. Glen Day (Little Rock) is at 210 and shot a 4-under 68. Scott Gardiner (Farmington) is at 213 and shot a 1 under Saturday. Ron Whittaker (Little Rock) is at 214. He was also 1 under Saturday.
Sports, Pages 28 on 07/01/2012