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CNN Sunday Morning

Justin Leonard Leads Field at PGA Championships

Aired August 18, 2002 - 10:25   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: It is that time again, the 84th annual PGA Championship under way in Minnesota, and CNN's Larry Smith following on the action for us at the Hazeltine National Golf Club. Larry, Tiger playing well, but not well enough.
LARRY SMITH, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: No, but you know what, even when Tiger Woods is not in the lead, he still is the big story. Tiger woods, 26 years old, he turns 27 in December. It' unbelievable. Trying to win his ninth career major and his third one this year as he will play the next to last twosome this afternoon, sitting five shots off the lead. He had a par 72 on Saturday.

Justin Leonard is the man to beat instead. A three-shot lead after shooting the only sub-70 round on Saturday, 369. But Leonard well aware of Tiger Woods lurking behind.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JUSTIN LEONARD, PRO GOLFER: I'm human, so obviously, I'm going to look and see how Tiger's doing. Does he intimidate me? Sure, at times. He does. He hasn't done it this week, and if I go out and do my job tomorrow, then he won't tomorrow either.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SMITH: Even at five shots back, Tiger Woods is still on everybody's mind. Rich Beem, by the way, is the closest to Leonard. He has three shots off the pace at 6 under par. Justin Leonard can really distinguish himself today with a victory. He can become the youngest active golfer other than Tiger Woods to win multiple majors. Leaders tee off at about 3:00 Eastern time today here at Hazeltine. Catherine, let's go back to you.

CALLAWAY: Makes Tiger sound like a bully on the course.

LARRY: He is.

CALLAWAY: All right. Thank you, Larry.

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