With some in the dark, Cink in the lead

PALM HARBOR, Fla. -- Stewart Cink played the last of his 28 holes Saturday in near darkness, eager to finish a long day in tough conditions.

Even after his lone bogey in the third round for a two-under-par 69, he couldn’t wait to get started today.

With Cink playing in 30-mph wind at the PODS Championship for the better part of 12 hours, his fortunes turned quickly when he ran off three straight birdies and went from four shots down to a two-shot lead that probably puts him in the final group for the third time this year.

He was at five-under 208, two shots ahead of former U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy.

Brandt Snedeker, who had a four-shot lead until his momentum changed on a three-putt from 12 feet, was at three under and had three holes to play. Billy Mayfair also was at three under playing the 16th hole when darkness suspended the third round.

Only nine players remained under par. The tournament is still up for grabs.

“I’ve got to keep pushing,” Cink said. “My goal is to give no one a chance tomorrow.”

That sounds like the philosophy of Tiger Woods, and Cink knows that all too well. He was in the last group at Torrey Pines with Woods, albeit eight shots behind. And Cink was in the final at the Accenture Match Play Championship, which Woods won by a record margin for the final match, 8 and 7.

“I’ve seen him do that,” Cink said, “and it looks like it’s a lot of fun.”

Even better? Woods has the week off.

“When the cat’s away . . . “ Cink said.

Snedeker was at seven under, leading by four, and had a 12-foot birdie putt on the par-three eighth. But he three-putted for bogey, hit into the trees on the right at No. 9 for another bogey, three-putted the 13th, and suddenly was two shots behind.

“I’m disappointed with two three-putts on the par threes. They were both stupid, boneheaded mistakes, but those are going to happen,” Snedeker said. “You’ve got to be patient. I’m still right there.”

Sean O’Hair and Tom Pernice Jr. each shot 71 and were at two-under 211.