Kim takes lead at Chevron World Challenge

Dec 21, 2008 - 1:06 AM By John Reger PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

THOUSAND OAKS, California (Ticker)- If Jim Furyk didn't have to play the 18th hole, he would have a commanding lead going into the final round of the $5.75 million Chevron World Challenge.

But he does and mistakes the last two rounds have cost him. He is 3-over-par on the hole the last two days and is now a stroke behind leader Anthony Kim.

Kim shot a 5-under par 67 on Saturday to vault past Furyk into the lead by a stroke. He and Vijay Singh had the low round of the day. Camilo Villegas, Steve Stricker, and Singh are two strokes behind Kim.

"I'm happy to be shooting under 80 right now," Kim said. "So I'm fine with whatever place I'm in. I was just trying not to get last this week. Everything is looking pretty bright for me."

Kim made a bogey on the fourth hole, but came back with birdies on the fifth, seventh and eighth. He also birdied 10, 12 and 14.

"I played very solid and figured something out in my putting stroke on No. 5 after I missed another putt," Kim said. "I just have to stand more upright and that's what I was doing last year when I was putting better."

Furyk, who shot 70, his third consecutive sub-par round, was in the lead for most of the day, but Kim tied him with his birdie on 12. Furyk had gotten to 9-under for the event to take a two-stroke lead, but a double-bogey on the final hole dropped him to second.

"I'm a little chapped at myself for doubling the last," Furyk said. "I really didn't hit too many bad shots. But there I hit a poor drive, hit a poor second shot, hit a nice wedge , but other than that, that's about the only shot I hit on the last hole."

The final hole has been trouble for Furyk the last two days. He bogeyed the hole in the second round and made a double-bogey in Saturday's third round.

That mistake cost Furyk the top spot at the event he had been leading for the last two days.

"I think I'd much rather be ahead," Furyk said. "I'd rather be at 9- or even 8-under. The score doesn't have to be as low to win (Sunday), but that's the hand I dealt."

It is now a crowded leaderboard going into the final 18 holes with four players within two strokes.

"I'm in good position," Singh said. "I'll play a good round and see what happens. Any time you're within two, three shots back you have a chance."