GOLF HAWAIIAN OPEN : Twitty Shoots 70, Increases Lead to Three

It is not exactly familiar territory for Howard Twitty: a three-shot lead going into the final round of the Hawaiian Open.

After all, it has been almost 13 years since the 44-year-old veteran scored his last victory on the PGA Tour.

He shot a two-under-par 70 over the Waialae Country Club course and will take a 201 total, 15 under par, into today’s last 18 holes of the chase for a $216,000 first prize.

“You could have fooled me,” he said. “On this course, shoot 70 and you figure to lose ground.”

Paul Azinger is in second place--a very familiar position. He has yet to win this title, but Azinger has three runner-up finishes in the Hawaiian Open and on another occasion missed a playoff by one shot.

“I don’t really know why this golf course suits my game so well. I just can’t explain it,” Azinger said after a 69 put him at 204.

Joey Sindelar, who scrambled to a 66, was alone in third at 205. Keith Clearwater, with a 68, and former Hawaiian Open winner Wayne Levi, with a 69, were next at 206.

“Too many guys,” Twitty said. “I’ll have to shoot in the 60s to have a chance. I could shoot 68, 69 and still not win. I’ll just have to shoot as low as I can.”