Sports

Guthrie, Thompson have big names on their tail

MICHAEL THOMPSON

MICHAEL THOMPSON

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PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. — Behind little-known Honda Classic leaders Luke Guthrie and Michael Thompson, there are some accomplished players with some star power lurking with a chance to win the title in Sunday’s final round at PGA National.

Guthrie, a former University of Illinois player and Tour rookie playing in his 11th career PGA event, said he welcomes the heat from behind the final group.

“You definitely see the names,’’ he said. “I would like to see them all up there — hopefully right behind me.’’

Among the pursuers of Guthrie and Thompson, who are both 8-under, is Rickie Fowler, who catapulted himself into contention with a birdie-eagle finish on the final two holes Saturday.

Fowler, who makes his home some 10 minutes away from the course, birdied the par-3 17th hole and eagled No. 18 to jump to 5-under, three shots out of the lead.

“When I walked through the tunnel [under the stands] from 16 to 17 I said to Jeff [Klauk, his playing partner], ‘Let’s finish it off. Let’s see if we can finish 2-4,’ ’’ Fowler said.

He did one better that, carding the birdie 2 on 17 then making the eagle 3 on 18.

“You’re just trying to put yourself in a position going into Sunday,’’ he said. “The biggest thing is being within a few shots going into the back nine [today]. That’s where the tournament really starts.’’

Fowler said he welcomes more windy conditions for today’s final round.

“I’d love it if the wind blows again,’’ he said. “I just love using my imagination, coming up with different shots, using the wind kind of as my friend. It kind of tricks up the golf course a little bit and makes you play a little differently.’’

England’s Lee Westwood and Australia’s Geoff Ogilvy, the 2006 U.S. Open champion, are two shots behind the leaders at 6-under. Westwood squandered a great chance to shave the deficit even more, but he hit his second shot on 18 in the water and had to settle for par save.

Westwood, who recently moved his family from England to Palm Beach Gardens in an effort to find more success on the PGA Tour, said he loves being treated as a local.

“When I walk on 17 and they say I’m from Palm Beach Gardens, a bigger cheer goes up than when it’s from Worksop [his hometown in England], for sure,’’ he said.