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McDowell leads Players despite late lapse

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell will defend his U.S. Open title at Congressional in Maryland next month.
Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell will defend his U.S. Open title at Congressional in Maryland next month.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Graeme McDowell in pole position to secure his second win on PGA Tour
  • U.S. Open champion must play 31 holes on Sunday after major rain delays
  • Northern Irishman is one shot ahead of K.J. Choi and David Toms after 54 holes
  • His compatriot Darren Clarke claims his 13th European Tour title with Spanish success

(CNN) -- Graeme McDowell took a one-shot lead into Sunday's final round of the $9.5 million Players Championship despite a late mistake at Ponte Vedra Beach in Florida.

The U.S. Open champion had to return in the morning to complete the last 13 holes of his third round, resuming at 11 under par alongside American Nick Watney.

The Northern Irishman managed three birdies in five holes on Saturday evening after play at Sawgrass was halted for more than four hours by storms.

He then birdied the 10th and seemed set for a strong lead at the tournament widely considered to be golf's "fifth major" as he picked up more shots at 16 and 17, twice chipping in.

This isn't mine to lose. I've got to go win this this afternoon
--Graeme McDowell
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But a double-bogey six at the last after hitting the greenside water hazard meant he signed for a four-under 68.

That put the 31-year-old on 12 under, ahead of veteran Korean K.J. Choi and American David Toms.

"I'm right where I need to be. I'm looking forward to it. This is one of my favorite courses. I'm looking forward to being in the mix again," McDowell, who will defend his first major title at Congressional in Maryland next month, told reporters.

"This isn't mine to lose. I've got to go win this this afternoon."

Choi resumed on nine-under, and birdies at 12 and 15 helped the 40-year-old to card a 67.

Toms, the halfway leader, parred his first five holes on Saturday and then managed two birdies on Sunday before a bogey at 17 halted his progress.

Watney dropped back to a tie for fourth on 207, three shots behind McDowell, in a group including world No. 3 Luke Donald, Steve Stricker, Davis Love and Jason Dufner.

A double-bogey at 14 followed by more dropped shots at 15 and 16 dimmed the American's title chances as he signed for a level-par 72.

World No. 2 Martin Kaymer, who needs a top-two finish to reclaim the top ranking from the absent Lee Westwood, is still in with a chance after an erratic 70 left him tied for 12th on seven under.

The German started with four successive birdies on Saturday but three consecutive bogeys halted his progress to leave him on eight under for the tournament when bad light stopped play.

He bounced back from a bogey at 14 with a birdie at 16, but dropped another shot at 18.

Meanwhile, McDowell's compatriot Darren Clarke claimed his 13th European Tour title with a three-shot victory at the Iberdrola Open in Mallorca on Sunday.

The 42-year-old clinched his first success since August 2008 as he denied overnight leader Chris Wood his maiden triumph in the Spanish tournament.

Clarke bounced back from a double-bogey six at the 11th hole to birdie 14 and 15 before closing with pars to card 69 and tally six-under 274.

His 23-year-old English opponent buckled under the pressure with five bogeys between 12 and 17, having also dropped shots at two, three and eight.

Wood ended up with a 76 to tie for second with compatriot David Lynn, who shot 70.

Clarke's playing partner Jose Maria Olazabal, who designed the Pula course, finished tied for fifth on 279 after a final-round 73 marred by bogeys at nine, 12, 14 and 16.