* Swede ahead by one stroke
* Early struggles costly to Knost
* Donald set to lose top ranking
(adds quotes)
April 14 (Reuters) – Sweden’s Carl Pettersson fired five
consecutive birdies in a sparkling five-under 66 that elevated
him one stroke ahead Colt Knost after the third round of the
Heritage Classic on Saturday.
With one round to play, Pettersson leads on 12-under-par 201
after overturning an overnight two-stroke deficit on Knost, who
slipped back with a 69.
The fast-starting Pettersson started his birdie streak on
the second hole under sunny skies at Hilton Head Island, South
Carolina.
â??”I didn’t know how many I had made in a row,” the four-time
PGA Tour winner told reporters. â??”I was in my own little world
for a while.”
Bogeys on the 11th and 15th holes halted his charge but the
Swede concluded his round with a birdie on 18, his seventh of
the day.
He and Knost will be paired together again on Sunday.
“It is always tough playing with the lead,” Pettersson said,
â??but I look forward to the challenge.”
Knost started the third round badly, knocking his opening
tee shot into the trees and wound up with a bogey on two of his
first three holes.
The American sandwiched an eagle between the misfires,
rolling in a 48-footer from just off the green of the par five
second hole.
Knost also bogeyed the third and 10th holes and ended the
round with three bogeys, three birdies and his eagle.
Former Masters champion Zach Johnson equaled Pettersson’s
low round of 66 to move within four strokes of the lead heading
into Sunday’s final round, one ahead of two-time Heritage winner
Boo Weekley.
Briton Luke Donald’s grip on the number one ranking loosened
further after an even par 72 left him 14 shots off the lead and
seven away from a top eight finish that would ensure he remained
ahead of Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy in the rankings.
(Reporting by Gene Cherry in Salvo, North Carolina; Editing
by John O’Brien)
