July 28 (Reuters) - Robert Garrigus grabbed a one-shot lead
as American players took a stranglehold on the Canadian Open
after the third round in Ontario on Saturday.
Garrigus fired a six-under-par 64 to move to 16-under 194,
one clear of William McGirt (66) and two in front of Scott
Piercy (67).
McGirt and Piercy had shared the lead overnight.
American players made up the top 10 players on the
leaderboard with former major winners Retief Goosen of South
Africa (63) and Fijian Vijay Singh (69) the best of the
international challengers, seven shots back.
Garrigus carded four birdies and an eagle on a bogey-free
day and promised to continue to attack on Sunday as he searches
for his second PGA Tour victory.
"It's foot to the floor as much as possible," he said. "I
know I can't let anybody in the golf tournament and if I go out
and make birdies they're not going to catch me so I'm just going
to go hammering at flags and hit fairways and hopefully
everything works out.
"I just like the way the course sets up. It's a hilly golf
course, fitness is a big issue and I'm in really good shape
right now so I'm loving where I am at."
Goosen rose 42 places into a tie for 11th with his
seven-under round. Scott Stallings and Chris Kirk matched his 63
and share fourth spot with fellow American Bo Van Pelt (67) on
198.
Kirk looked set to smash the course record of 62 at the
Hamilton Golf and Country Club after getting to seven under
through 10 holes but he parred the last eight.
David Hearn and Graham DeLaet were the best of the locals on
208, meaning Canada's victory drought in the tournament is
almost certain to be extended to 58 years.
(Reporting by Ben Everill in Los Angeles; editing by Tony
Jimenez)