Appleby nears 3-peat

Campbell is 2 strokes back and Furyk is another shot behind at windy Kapalua

KAPALUA, Maui » There were two things you could count on during yesterday's third round of the $5.4 million Mercedes Championships -- the wind and Stuart Appleby.

Mercedes Championships Third-round leaders Stuart Appleby 213 Michael Campbell 215 Jim Furyk 216

While the blustery breezes wreaked havoc on those below the affable Australian, Appleby remained in first place throughout the afternoon with a steady-and-true performance that belied the conditions.

For the second straight day, no one managed a round in the 60s, with only six players under par after 54 holes. Last year, all 31 golfers were in the red at this point, giving you an idea just how difficult the new-and-improved Plantation Course has played this week.

Past U.S. Open winners Michael Campbell and Jim Furyk remained within shouting distance of Appleby, who shot a 3-under 70 to drop to 6-under 213 for the week. Campbell birdied the 18th to finish at 4-under 215 with a third-round 71. Furyk, who also birdied the 18th, was another shot back at 216 after a third-round 72.

"Stuart must be very, very comfortable with the way the course sets up his game," Furyk said. "Winning two years in a row, pretty much being in control of this tournament most of the way, he's the guy to beat."

Campbell echoed those sentiments. He will be Appleby's playing partner for a second consecutive day, giving him a good view of how Appleby is approaching the final round.

"Stuart and I are very good friends," Campbell said. "We'll be shaking hands on the first tee as opponents, and then come the 18th green, we'll be shaking hands as friends again. That's how I'm going to treat tomorrow.

"In between that time of shaking hands, two guys competing, competing to win this tournament. I believe I've got the tools to do well this week, and hopefully tomorrow will be my day. It's all about grinding, grinding, grinding, grinding."

There were only a half-dozen rounds below par yesterday, with seven golfers already at plus 12 or worse, including Jason Gore, whose third consecutive round in the 80s left him at 22 over for the tournament.

The first two eagles of the event were managed yesterday, and one of them was a hole-in-one at the par-3 eighth by Lucas Glover that catapulted him into fourth, four shots off the pace. Glover and Appleby had the best rounds of the day.

"I had a little trouble with the speed of the greens," Appleby said. "They were a little slower than they were the first two days. I left several shots out there today. Hopefully, that won't be the case tomorrow.

"Overall, I'm happy with where I am. I know tomorrow I just have to play a better round of golf than I played today. I think today was nice, but I think just another notch or two up would be just what I need."

The only other two golfers in the red were playing partners Vijay Singh and Sergio Garcia, and they needed birdies at the closing hole to turn that trick. Two bad swings by Garcia at Nos. 8 and 12 cost him three shots to par, leaving him with a third-round 73 and a 1-under 218 for the tournament.

"I wish I had those two swings back," Garcia said. "I'm right there if I do. I was glad to get a birdie at the last hole. "I have to come out and shoot 5 or 6 under to have a chance. I know that. It's tough because the course has played so difficult and Appleby is playing very well."

Singh had similar problems to Garcia's with a double bogey at the fourth and three bogeys at the fifth, ninth and 13th holes. He remained in contention with birdies at the 14th and 18th to finish the day in a tie for fifth with Garcia.

"It was really a grind out there today," Singh said. "You try not to make bogeys out here, but even putts from 3 or 4 feet are really scary. I still think I have a really good round in me."

Perhaps, but if Appleby doesn't have a bad round in him, he will be tough to catch. Bogeys have not been a major problem for him, which is one reason he's two shots clear of the field. He managed two on Thursday, two on Friday and only one yesterday to keep playing partner Campbell at bay.

He will be trying to become only the fifth golfer on the PGA Tour since 1971 to win the same tournament three consecutive times. He would join Jack Nicklaus, Johnny Miller, Tom Watson and Tiger Woods should he hold the trophy later today.

"I think that would be a great list to be on, no doubt," Appleby said. "I hope I'm not thinking about that tomorrow. I'll just be playing my game, knowing that I'll do my best. I believe my best is enough to finish first and be a three-peater."

But don't start signing the paycheck or handing over the keys to a new Mercedes just yet. Campbell knows a thing or two about coming from behind and Furyk won this tournament in 2001. Even Singh and 2002 Mercedes champion Garcia remain in the chase.

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