Calcavecchia sets clubhouse target in Tampa Bay

Mark Calcavecchia tied the course record as he charged into the clubhouse lead with a brilliant third round at the Pods Championship on Saturday.

Calcavecchia fired 10 birdies in a nine-under-par 62 in benign conditions at Innisbrook for a nine-under total of 204.

The 46-year-old former Open champion had his bags packed ready for an early exit after an opening 75, during which he needed 36 putts.

However, he found his touch on the greens on Friday, taking just 23 putts, and needed just 23 more on Saturday.

Five birdies in the first six holes set the tone for the day and a bogey at the eighth proved just a temporary setback as he added five more birdies on the back nine.

His birdie at the 18th came after an errant tee shot which left him in a fairway bunker, from where he hooked a seven iron around a clump of trees to the heart of the green.

Calcavecchia credited his score to a new putter he bought last week at a golf store for 256.

“I was packed up (ready to go home),” he said. “I had 36 putts on Thursday.

“We all go through stretches where you can’t hit the hole from outside about two feet and I was in that mode.

“I bought a putter last week and started making some putts yesterday. I’m a streaky guy anyway and just got some confidence and they’re going in all of a sudden.”