DIVOTS

Rollins happy about his 'Boys

KAPALUA, Maui » John Rollins didn't have the best of days, but his Dallas Cowboys sure did.

He began his third round alone in second, trailing SBS Championship leader Lucas Glover by three. After shooting a 1-under 72 yesterday, he dropped into a tie for fifth, four shots off the pace. No one exited the 18th any faster than Rollins, who said Friday he hoped to catch a glimpse or two of the playoff game with the Philadelphia Eagles once he was done.

Rollins is a season-ticket holder who opted not to buy any playoff tickets because he knew he'd be playing golf here on Maui. Now that the Cowboys have advanced to the next round to face the Minnesota Vikings, he's hopeful Dallas will make it back to the Super Bowl for the first time in 14 years.

“;You know, I'm here to win a golf tournament,”; Rollins said. “;The Cowboys, they don't affect my life one way or another. But I'm still pulling for them. I hope they win. I wish the best for them.”;

First time for Glover

This is the first time Glover has ever held a third-round lead. He has been out front after the first and second rounds, but this is new territory for the U.S. Open winner. Does he feel any extra pressure being paired with defending champion Geoff Ogilvy in today's final round? Not really.

“;No, I know he is playing well and has had success here,”; said Glover, who holds a one-shot lead over Ogilvy. “;Maybe I can learn a thing or two. He has had more success here than I have had.”;

This is Glover's second career start at this season-opening event. This is the fourth time around for Ogilvy, who managed his seventh straight round in the 60s.

Bogey-free time

There were only three golfers to card bogey-free rounds yesterday in the ever-changing wind. They were Retief Goosen (67), Ryan Moore (68) and Steve Stricker (68). Stricker has played under the radar this week because the world's No. 3 golfer hasn't been in contention.

Goosen begins today's final round in a tie for fifth, just four shots off the pace. Moore is alone in fourth, trailing Glover by three. Matt Kuchar was the only golfer to be bogey-free the first two days, but that streak ended with a double bogey at No. 11.

Inside the numbers

Yesterday's third round was the highest average of the tournament at 70.321. The 28 golfers in this elite field averaged 69.857 the first day and 69.179 on Friday. There were only nine rounds in the 60s yesterday. The cumulative total for the tournament is 69.786.

The hardest hole yesterday was the par-4 first with a scoring average of 4.286, thanks to a strong Kona wind blowing in the faces of the golfers on this 520-yard hole. There were two birdies, 17 pars, eight bogeys and one double by Dustin Johnson. The easiest hole for the third straight day was the par-5 ninth with a scoring average of 4.321. There were 20 birdies, seven pars and one bogey by Stewart Cink.