KIAWAH ISLAND, S.C. (AP) — Is Kiawah Island easing up again?
It sure looked that way early Saturday, when a battered group of golf's top players showed up at The Ocean Course for the third round of the PGA Championship. They were greeted by more wind — but milder conditions overall than the previous day.
The second round was the toughest at the PGA Championship since the tournament switched to stroke play, with 41 players failing to break 80. Of course, so many players had problems it was possible to shoot 80 and still make the cut, like Sweden's Alex Noren did. Noren was having an easier time of it Saturday, shooting 2 under through his first six holes to move, amazingly, within five strokes of the lead.
Justin Rose was 5 under through 11, improving to 1 under for the tournament, three strokes behind leaders Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and Carl Pettersson. Those three hadn't teed off yet.
After a fairly tame first round, the wind arrived in earnest Friday, when there were more rounds in the 90s (two) than in the 60s. Singh managed a 69 in the second round, but he was an exception.
The leaders were at 4-under 140, a stroke ahead of Ian Poulter. Rory McIlroy and Jamie Donaldson were another shot back.
The last 16 major championships have been won by 16 different players. Woods hasn't won one since 2008.
After scores soared all day Friday, the course was played at 7,451 yards for the third round, the shortest it's been so far.