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AKRON, Ohio — If you’re a fan of a delicious storyline, you’re positively delighted with the leaderboard of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational as it enters today’s final round at Firestone Country Club.
Leading the tournament is Adam Scott, whose new caddie, Steve Williams, was fired by Tiger Woods last month after 12 years of astonishing success together.
Scott is 12-under par and has a one-shot lead over fellow Aussie Jason Day and 19-year-old Ryo Ishikawa from Japan.
Lost in the middle of the pack in a tie for 38th at 1-over par and a non-factor in the final outcome today is Woods, whose scores have gotten progressively worse through the first three rounds — 68, 71, 72.
Williams was on Woods’ bag for all seven of his victories at this tournament, and Scott said he believes that has been invaluable to him this week.
“He’s seen some of the best golf that’s ever been played around this place,” Scott said. “He’s got a very good understanding of this golf course and it has certainly helped me a few times when we’re pulling clubs.”
Woods, who will begin the day 13 shots behind Scott, perhaps could have used Williams reading some putts yesterday, because his short game was abysmal.
Woods hit just four of 14 fairways, his lowest total of the week, but he hit 13 of 18 fairways, including eight of his last nine. He needed 33 putts, however, by far the most of any of his three rounds. He had four bogeys and two birdies.
“I didn’t putt well again,” Woods said. “I’ve just got to put together a good round and let it build. That’s something I haven’t done yet.”
If you’re a fan of the most heart-warming story unfolding today, you will be rooting for Ishikawa, who’s donating all of his winnings this year to the tsunami relief in his home country of Japan as well as $1,000 for every birdie he makes. The winner today will be handed a $1.4 million check.
Ishikawa, who shot 64 with six birdies yesterday and will tee off with Scott in the final pairing this afternoon, is making the biggest splash of his career in a worldwide event.
“The kid is really amazing,” Scott said of Ishikawa. “I think this week is really big for him. He’s only 19. He’s got everything in front of him.”
Scott marveled at Ishikawa’s gesture.
“It probably inspires a lot of other people to give generously,” he said. “That’s the point of giving. It can have a huge impact worldwide and hopefully that helps the recovery and the rebuild. To see that from a young guy like Ryo is fantastic. He should be proud of himself and Japan should be really proud of him.”
The leaderboard is bunched at the top with Martin Laird and PGA Tour rookie Keegan Bradley two shots off the lead at 10-under par while Rickie Fowler, Luke Donald and Fredrik Jacobson are on 9-under. Not out of contention are Zach Johnson (8-under) as well as Rory McIlroy and Steve Stricker at 7-under.
Jim Furyk had a hole-in-one on the 200-yard par-3 fifth, holing out a 6-iron.
