Baddeley leads Woods at U.S. Open

Golf Betting Lines

06/17/2007 - Oakmont, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Aaron Baddeley will carry a two-shot lead over Tiger Woods into the final round of the U.S. Open after shooting an even-par 70 Saturday at a tamer Oakmont.

Baddeley, an Australian transplant living in Arizona, is at two-over 212 -- the second straight year the 54-hole leader was plus-two at the U.S. Open.

Woods began the day five shots behind Angel Cabrera's overnight lead and shot a one-under 69, playing bogey-free until the 18th hole. He was at four-over 214.

Paul Casey followed his spectacular 66 Friday with a 72 in the second round and was tied for third place with Stephen Ames (73), Justin Rose (73) and Bubba Watson (74) at five-over 215.

Cabrera shot a 76 and fell back to six-over 216. He was joined there by Steve Stricker, whose 68 was the best round of the day, and 2003 U.S. Open winner Jim Furyk (70).

In 28 tries, Woods has never come from behind to win a major. Baddeley, who played with Woods at the Masters this year, will have a chance to extend that losing streak to 29 tournaments.

"I'll absolutely enjoy it," Baddeley, a two-time PGA Tour winner, said. "I'm comfortable playing with Tiger at the majors."

If he had seen Woods' round Saturday, he might not have been as comfortable.

Woods made 13 consecutive pars after posting birdies on two of his first four holes and hit every green in regulation through 17 holes. That run ended when he found a bunker with his tee shot at the 18th, only to blast out to the middle of the fairway.

He put his third shot over the hole and missed a a 15-foot par putt, ending a chance for the first bogey-free round of the week.

Woods was just the sixth player since 1983 to hit 17 greens in regulation during a round at the U.S. Open. He hit no more than 11 in either of the first two rounds.

"I felt like I was in control of my game today, which is nice to have on a Saturday afternoon of an Open," said Woods, a two-time U.S. Open winner.

His round was filled with a handful of agonizing near-misses on makable putts. If even three of them had rolled in, he would have equaled Casey's tournament- best 66 from Friday.

Casey's round was sensational, if not unbelievable. Woods' was workmanlike.

What a difference a few putts make.

"But, hey, I put myself right there in the tournament," Woods figured.

He began the round with a long drive at No. 1 that cut into the center of the fairway, then an approach shot to 20 feet to set up a routine par. He then made par from a bunker at No. 2 -- the first time he parred the first two holes this week.

Woods made his two birdies on back-to-back holes beginning at No. 3, where he rolled in an eight-foot putt. He two-putted from 20 feet at the fourth.

MORE TO FOLLOW.

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Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.

Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.

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Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com

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