A One-Stroke Lead Might Be Enough : Golf: Love’s birdie putt gives him edge over Azinger at La Costa, but rain may force tournament to end after 54 holes instead of 72.

Davis Love III had a weird feeling after he made a 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th green Saturday to retain a one-stroke lead over Paul Azinger in the Infiniti Tournament of Champions at the La Costa Resort.

“The last hole felt like Sunday,” Love said.

Saturday might well be Sunday, because the tournament could end after 54 holes instead of 72.

A storm is expected to come through the San Diego area today, which might result in cancellation of the final round.

Azinger challenged for the lead by making a 40-foot birdie putt on the 18th green before Love’s putt.

“I felt that he (Love) would make that putt to win,” Azinger said.

It was almost a playoff atmosphere because of the uncertain weather.

“I don’t expect to play golf tomorrow,” Azinger said.

Asked how badly he wants to play today, Azinger smiled and said: “A lot more than Davis.”

Even though Love is in an enviable position, he said: “I hope we play tomorrow. I don’t think 54 holes is right.”

Love and Azinger were tied for the lead after 36 holes, four strokes ahead of the field. And it seemed almost like match play on Saturday.

Love shot a three-under-par 69 for a 54-hole score of 203, 13 under. Azinger shot a 70 and is at 204.

The nearest pursuer is Brad Faxon, who had a 67 for a 207.

Raymond Floyd, trying to win an unprecedented two tournaments at the same time, regular and senior divisions, is not in contention. He is at 216, 13 shots behind Love.

Azinger and Love were tied for the lead after 16 holes. Love two-putted for his par on the 17th green and Azinger was facing a 15-foot birdie putt from the edge of the green.

However, it was at least 10 minutes before Azinger putted. He wanted a ruling from a tour official because he was standing in a heel print along with casual water.

He got relief from the casual water, moving his ball. When he finally putted, his ball went three feet past the cup. Then he missed the three-footer, nicking the cup for a bogey and surrendering the lead to Love.

“The law of averages caught up with me on 17,” Azinger said. “I three-putted three times on the back nine and my speed (on putts) wasn’t good on the greens.”

Azinger uses a cigar-shaped putter that he calls “The Thing.” Peter Jacobsen says it looks like shredded wheat.

“I went out there today like this was the last round,” Azinger said. “Davis is in a strange position to be in, but I wish it was me.”

There’s precedent for a rain-shortened tournament here. The final round in 1988 was washed out and Steve Pate, the third-round leader, was declared the winner.

Love wasn’t particularly pleased with his round, saying he didn’t hit the ball in the fairway as he did during the first two rounds.

However, he has had one bogey and he barely missed making some birdie putts Saturday.

There was light rain in the morning, but not enough to seriously hinder the players.

Love said he felt a little “tight” Saturday, adding, “You tend to forget about the other guys because we (he and Azinger) were two or three strokes ahead.”

Love had three birdies during his round, while Azinger had five birdies and three bogeys, the last being the most damaging at the 17th hole.

After Azinger sank his 40-foot birdie putt on the 18th green, Love said: “He looked over at me. He had to make it, but he wasn’t challenging me. It was a fun way to finish.”

Love might have a sleepless night, wondering whether he is already the tournament champion, or if he has to play again today.

“I’ll probably wake up in the middle of the night to see if it is raining,” he said.