   
| Elkington takes rough finish in stride  PGATOUR.com Correspondant PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. -- The 17th hole nipped him. And the 18th hole bit him. Big time.  Steve Elkington is a two-time PLAYERS Champion. (Cohen/WireImage) One minute Steve Elkington was on cruise control, making his way down the stretch at 5 under for the tournament. Then his 8-iron at 17 got away and dove into the water. Yes, he made an all-world par, but then he found himself trying to chip onto the 18th green. His ball took off like he'd whacked it with a 4-iron. More water. Double bogey. "It was almost embarrassing,'' he said. Three shots in two holes -- gone. A third-round 70. From right in the thick of it to staying in touch with the leaders. But Elk took it in stride. He's won this event twice before and when you know what it feels like to catch lightning here, well, that can make up a shot or two right off the top in the final round. "I'm freewheeling it,'' he said. "I've won two of them. I know what it feels like to play in the final round. That's a great asset experience.'' Elkington won here in 1991 and 1997 and he finished tied for sixth in 2005. And, while he only has two top 18s this year, Elkington has played well -- with one small lull -- since the Nissan Open. He knows this course, too, and the key is getting the ball in play. He struggled in the first round, hitting just 6 of 14 fairways, but is 26 of 42 on the week. "This is where a fairway means something,'' he said. |
