Strong finish puts Garcia in control

Sergio Garcia is only 25-years-old, but he’s been around long enough not to count any chickens, and he is taking nothing for granted despite opening up a six-shot lead after the third round at the Wachovia Championship.

Garcia was superb, carding a five-under-par 67, the day’s best round at demanding Quail Hollow, where firm conditions tested every facet of a player’s game.

The Spaniard made his move with five birdies in a sizzling six-hole stretch after the turn to take a stranglehold on the event, posting a 12-under 204 total with one round left.

“It is not finished,” Garcia said. “If I start thinking about (winning) before I am finished, punch me in the face. I have got to stay focused and keep doing the things I have been doing.”

Vijay Singh, Jim Furyk and DJ Trahan are tied for second at six-under 210, with Nick Price another shot back.

England’s Greg Owen moved up into a tie for sixth place with Joey Sindelar on four-under 212 after a 71.

Tiger Woods, however, seemed to be out of contention after hitting some wild drives in a 73 that left him 11 strokes off the pace.

Garcia, who started the day with a two-shot lead, birdied the first hole but a double-bogey at the fourth stemmed his momentum. However, he birdied the very next hole to regain a head of steam.

Though he was only tied with Trahan at the turn, the stage was set for him to jump clear of the field.

“I had a great stretch and hit some really good shots coming in,” he said. “It was a very good round. Although there was not much wind out there, the course was playing tough.”

Just 18 holes from his first win of the season, Garcia said he would stick with much the same game plan in the final round.

“You treat it as just one more round,” Garcia said. “You are aggressive when you know you can go for it and maybe a little more conservative when you are not as comfortable. I have been struggling with my putting but I am starting to see light at the end of the tunnel.

“I feel my stroke is a lot smoother and I am more in control. All the things I have worked on are starting to show.”