Ponte Vedra Beach, FL (Sports Network) - It didn't always look pretty on
Saturday, but Kevin Na birdied the last hole to take the third-round lead of
The Players Championship.
Na, one of three second-round leaders, shot a four-under 68 on Saturday to
finish at 12-under 204. He owns a one-shot lead over Matt Kuchar, another co-
leader from round two, who had a 69 Saturday at the TPC Sawgrass.
The reason Na's round didn't always look pretty has to do with a constant
waggle before his swing. Sometimes, he stopped his swing mid-flight, or would
walk away after he addressed the ball and even apologized to playing partner
Zach Johnson.
"It's really hard for me to feel comfortable," Na told NBC. "I know the whole
world is watching and when I back off, it's frustrating. It's really
frustrating for me. I'm screaming at myself to pull the trigger.
"All I can do is try my best and do what's best for me to play well."
If you just looked at the time Na made contact with the ball, it's easy to see
why he's the 54-hole leader. But the waggle and constant woes with the
takeaway made for uncomfortable scenes.
NBC reported he received a bad time on Saturday, but Na went about his
business and closed brilliantly. He recorded birdies at two of his last three
holes and will be in search of his second, and by far, biggest PGA Tour win.
"It's a tough situation," he said in his televised interview. "I'm trying."
Kuchar was in the lead throughout most of Saturday's third round, but he
dunked his ball in the water in front of the famous island green at the 17th
en route to a bogey.
His three-under 69 left him at minus-11 and put him in contention for his most
significant PGA Tour title, just a month after contending at the Masters.
The tour's most recent winner made the biggest move on Saturday.
Rickie Fowler, who broke through for his first victory last week at Quail
Hollow, fired a six-under 66 and is alone in third at nine-under 207.
Johnson (73) and Texas Open winner Ben Curtis (70) share fourth at minus-
seven.
Tiger Woods failed to get anything going on Saturday. He shot an even-par 72
and is in a large group tied for 34th at two-under.
Phil Mickelson posted a two-under 70 and moved into a tie for 14th at minus-
four.
MORE TO FOLLOW.
The Sports Network