Immelman has the edge

South African Trevor Immelman led the Cialis Western Open in Illinois by one with eight holes remaining today – and 13 players were separated by just four strokes.

Three birdies in four holes from the seventh took Immelman, twice a runner-up earlier this season but yet to win on the US Tour, to 11 under par.

Australians Stephen Leaney and Matthew Goggin and American Stewart Cink were one behind, then came a group which included world number two and overnight leader Vijay Singh and Swede Carl Pettersson, who parred every single hole on the front nine.

World number one Tiger Woods was four back with eight to play, a bogey at the eighth setting him back after he resumed the day in a tie for seventh.

Luke Donald had improved from from 21st to 14th on six under, but had only three holes remaining.

Justin Rose, needing a top 10 finish to have a chance to earning a place in the Open championship, was tied for 22nd after 12 holes, but required only two birdies to keep that hope alive.