UNITED STATES OPEN

Ricky Barnes squanders six-stroke

lead before end of third round

FROM THE AOL GOLF NEWS SERVICE
Ricky Barnes further staked his claim to a US Open victory as the third
round came to its conclusion, but it could have been so much better for
the American at Bethpage Black.
As the second major of the year headed for a first 72-hole Monday
finish since 1983, Barnes had threatened to set more records after
shooting the lowest 36-hole total in US Open history, a 132, on
Saturday.
The American, playing his first full year on the US PGA Tour in his
seventh year as a professional, was going the right way about emulating
2003 Open champion Ben Curtis in making his maiden professional victory
at a major.
Barnes, starting the day at eight under with a one-shot lead over
fellow American Lucas Glover, moved into a three-shot lead after six
holes thanks to a birdie at the second and a long-range eagle putt at
the fourth.
The eagle got the 28-year-old to 11 under par, the first man to move
into double digits at the US Open since Jim Furyk in the third round at
Olympia Fields en route to his victory in 2003.
Despite a bogey at the seventh, Barnes' lead stretched to six shots at
the eighth as both Glover and Mike Weir in third place, slipped to four
under.
Yet Barnes unravelled a little after turning for home, bogeying the
long and difficult par-4s at 10 and 12 as Glover birdied the 10th and
11th.
Barnes rebounded with a birdie at 13th but his three-shot lead over the
field at nine under after 14 holes gave his rivals some hope they could
reel him in over the final round, which was set to start late on
Sunday.
Weir was at two under playing the 16th in a tie for third with David
Duval, who birdied the 16th to also join Hunter Mahan, with a 68 and
world number two Phil Mickelson, who delighted his big following of
fans by sinking a 38-foot birdie putt at the 18th for a 69.
England's Ross Fisher had got to three under after four holes but he
stayed in touch with the leaders at two under playing the last.