Saturday, May 5, 2012

2012 Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow--Final Round

Three rounds are in the book at the Quail Hollow Golf Club in Charlotte, North Carolina.  The final two rounds were without Tiger Woods, who, for only the 8th time in his professional career, missed the cut.  But even without Tiger the tournament still has some exciting storylines for the final day.

Hometown boy Webb Simpson fired a 69 at his home course to take a one-stroke lead into the final day.  Simpson played in the final group this afternoon with Nick Watney, who entered the day with a stroke lead over Simpson.  Watney struggled to an even par 72 and is two shots back going in to tomorrow.  Simpson, last year's runner-up on the PGA Tour money list, is looking to jumpstart his 2012 season and win his first event of the year.

Tied for second at -13 and a stroke behind Simpson are Ryan Moore and D.A. Points.  Points entered the day tied with Simpson, and carded a solid 2-under 70.  He shared the lead for much of the round until Simpson overtook him at 14-under.  Moore, playing in the group in front of Points, carded a 69.  Moore is looking for his first win since 2009 on the PGA Tour.  Moore will be playing with Simpson in the final group tomorrow, and Points will play in the penultimate pairing with Rory McIlroy.

Tied for fourth place and two strokes back of the lead are Watney and Rory McIlroy.  McIlroy carded one of the rounds of the day, shooting a 66 to match his Saturday round from 2010.  McIlroy made 8 birdies on the day and drove the ball beautifully.  Watney finished the round at 18 with a bogey to drop from the tie for second.

Rickie Fowler carded a 67 today to begin the final round at 11-under and three back.  Fowler is looking for his first win on the PGA Tour.  His only professional win came last year in Korea, where he bested McIlroy and others en route to the victory.  Since switching to "Left hand Low" putting, Fowler has shown improvements and is once again contending for that maiden victory.  We'll see if he once again can go low tomorrow, after a 66 in the first round as well.

Other notables:
Stewart Cink: -11 after a double at 18
Geoff Ogilvy: -10; carded the low round of the day (65)
Lee Westwood: -5
Phil Mickelson: -5
Dead last? Harris English at +3

So who is going to take the title tomorrow?  I foresee an exciting finish.

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