LOS ANGELES — Steve Stricker hit enough crisp irons and made his usual share of putts to pull away from the field Saturday at Riviera and build a five-shot lead going into the final day of the rain-delayed Northern Trust Open.
Stricker was at 14-under- par and had a 30-foot birdie putt on the 15th hole when it was too dark to continue. He will return today to finish the third round.
“I did a lot of good things,” Stricker said.
Luke Donald finished his round at 5-under 66 just before the siren sounded and shared the clubhouse lead with J.B. Holmes (67) at 9-under 204. Andres Romero, playing in the final group with Stricker and 36-hole leader Dustin Johnson, also was 9-under with four holes left.
George McNeill shot a 66 and was 8-under along with Johnson and Kent Denver graduate Kevin Stadler. Johnson had four holes to play and Stadler had three left.
The tournament caught a huge break with the weather. A storm system off the California coast managed to dodge Riviera in the afternoon, leaving mostly sunny conditions and allowing for enough play that the tournament is expected to end today.
Stricker during a seven-hole stretch in the middle of his round gave himself birdie chances inside 15 feet on six holes. He made from 15 feet on the sixth and from just inside 10 feet on the eighth, after hitting into the ditch splitting the fairways. The exception came on the ninth, where Stricker drove into the left bunker and faced such a steep lip that he could only blast out to the fairway.
From 123 yards, his wedge settled 8 feet away and he made it for par.
Westwood, Jimenez share Dubai lead
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Lee Westwood and Miguel Angel Jimenez each shot 68 to catch overnight leader Thongchai Jaidee after the third round of the Dubai Desert Classic.
Thongchai shot a 69 to keep a share of the lead, and was also joined by Alvaro Quiros (67) in a quartet with 11-under totals of 205.
Rory McIlroy was two shots back in fifth after a 69.
