Tom Lehman knows about playing in the final group at important tournaments. He's not used to doing it with a nine-stroke lead, however.
"Not even in high school or junior golf," Lehman said as he prepared to protect his huge margin over Brad Faxon and Vijay Singh in today's rain-delayed final round of the Tour Championship.The 37-year-old Lehman, who played in the final group twice at the U.S. Open and twice at the Masters without winning, has emerged as one of the most feared players on the PGA Tour.
That reputation got a big boost when Lehman faced down Nick Faldo in the final round to win this year's British Open.
And it's getting another lift at Southern Hills Country Club, where Lehman was 13-under-par 197 after 54 holes and running away from the elite field restricted to the top-30 money winners.
With a victory, Lehman would have a chance to sweep the money title, the scoring title and both player-of-the-year awards.
"I have a good opportunity to make a really big statement with one more good round," Lehman said Sunday when the final round of the Tour Championship was rained out and rescheduled for Monday.
"If I win by 12 or 13 strokes, that would be pretty impressive," he said.
While Lehman stands to be the big winner, Phil Mickelson, who came into the tournament leading the money list and ahead in the point system that determines the PGA of America player of the year, stands to be the big loser.
Unless Mickelson can finish no lower than tied for third - he's four strokes out of third going to the final round - Lehman will win the money title.
"I have an outside chance," Mickelson said. "It's kind of unlikely, but I do have a chance."
With a victory, Lehman would move past Mickelson on the money list and in the player-of-the-year points race.
Mickelson, with four victories, and Mark Brooks, with three wins including the PGA Championship, were considered the front-runners in the player voting for the PGA Tour player of the year award coming into this event.
But a victory by Lehman in the Tour Championship would throw him right into the mix.
"Give him credit," Mickelson said. "Tom came in here knowing what a win could do for him and look what he did."
His nine-stroke lead tied for the largest 54-hole margin since the PGA started keeping such records in 1970, matching the lead Jack Nicklaus had in 1973.
If he wins, Lehman would have two victories and 13 top-10 finishes - including a second at the U.S. Open. He finished out of the top-20 only three times in 21 previous events.
The $540,000 first-place check would put Lehman at $1,780,159 on the year, breaking the record $1,654,959 won by Greg Norman last year.
DIVOTS: PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem said he wanted to get the full 72 holes in "because there is so much at stake." ... Tour official David Eger said the bunkers had the most damage after 1.7 inches of rain Sunday morning. ... The only player to withdraw after the final round was rescheduled was Greg Norman. Asked why Norman pulled out, Finchem said: "I don't know." Norman also arrived at the tournament late, missing the pro-am. "He had a good reason," Finchem said. ... Tiger Woods, in 24th place 23 strokes behind Lehman, needs to finish fourth to break David Duval's rookie earnings record of $881,436. Duval needed 26 tournaments to get that amount while this is only Woods' eighth event. ... Earl Woods, Tiger's father, remained in the hospital after experiencing chest pains Friday morning and likely will be there a few more days.