PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Tiger Woods isn’t the least bit surprised at the way U.S. Open leader Dustin Johnson is striking the ball to put himself in contention for an even bigger championship at Pebble Beach.
Woods watched the power-hitting Johnson, winner of the last two Pebble Beach National Pro-Ams played each February, during a practice round here earlier in the week in which Johnson pulled out a 4-iron at the tee on the challenging 17th and proceeded to hit it pin high on the 226- yard hole.
“He’s just stupid long,” Woods said at the time.
The compliments are still coming, and Woods realizes even after his sensational 5-under-par 66 round Saturday, which put him at 1-under for the tournament and right back in the hunt, that Johnson could be tough to catch in the final round today.
Johnson also shot a sizzling 5-under 66 on Saturday and is 6-under 207 with a three-stroke lead over Graeme McDowell. Woods sits in third.
“I’ve played with long hitters who can play, but he hits it just for miles,” Woods said.
Frenchman in contention.
Gregory Havret finds himself in contention heading into the final day at his first U.S. Open — tied for fourth with Ernie Els.
Havret beat Phil Mickelson in a playoff to win the Scottish Open in 2007 — and that’s his best win to date.
“It’s great to be there after three rounds. Obviously, it’s a fantastic feeling,” Havret said after his 2-under 69 Saturday that put him at even-par 213 going into today.
The 33-year-old Frenchman rode his reliable short game Saturday into a strong position.
While in the past he has focused more of his energy on the British Open, Havret is thrilled to be playing so well in his U.S. Open debut. He birdied holes 5, 6, 10 and the tricky 14th, overcoming bogeys on Nos. 9 and 11.
And he wants to make sure he cherishes the experience of playing today in a major.
“Yeah, magical, that’s a good word,” Havret said. “I don’t know, I’ll have a nice evening with my lads and parents, and for sure it’s going to be something else I remember forever.”
Jaidee’s ace.
Thongchai Jaidee has hit 10 holes-in-one in his long golfing career — and he realizes it takes a lot of luck, on top of pinpoint shot-making.
He did it on the par-3, 195-yard fifth hole during his U.S. Open round Saturday, a feat he ranks right up there as one of his best accomplishments in the game. It was his eighth ace in a tournament and first on a stage this big.
“Good drop, and then it took a left from the green and took a good bounce. I think very lucky from there,” said Jaidee, who turned pro in 1999.
Going solo.
Ty Tryon had the first tee time at 9 a.m. — all by himself.
Tryon played solo with the guidance of longtime local Pebble Beach caddie Bob “Rocket” Lytle.
Tryon was done in 3 1/2 hours — he had six bogeys and two double-bogeys — to finish 7-over.
