Early birdies lift Rollins to Buick Invitational lead

<div><p>John Rollins got off to a quick start and held on to seize the lead Saturday in the 5.3 million-dollar Buick Invitational.</p><p> Rollins birdied the second, fourth and sixth holes, then traded two birdies and three bogeys coming in to post a two-under 70 for a 12-under total of 204.</p><p>The American, seeking his first title since the 2006 BC Open, finished the day three shots in front of overnight leader Camilo Villegas of Colombia.</p><p>Villegas struggled in the rainy, windy weather and was three-over through the first nine at Torrey Pines after a bogey at the seventh and double-bogey at nine.</p><p>He carded a two-over 74 for a three-round total of 207.</p><p>American Nick Watney was alone in third place after carding a 71 for 209. Watney started the day in fourth and jumped up a spot courtesy of a birdie on 17.</p><p>England's Luke Donald (71) and American Paul Goydos (72) were tied for fourth, six shots off the lead on 210.</p><p>Reigning British Open and PGA champion Padraig Harrington carded his second straight 74 that included a double-bogey at the fourth and a bogey at seven, slipping 15 shots off the pace.</p><p>The Irishman is playing in his first tournament of the season after having two non-malignant melanomas removed from near his right eye.</p><p>Phil Mickelson, a three-time winner of this event, bogeyed three of the first 11 holes en route to a one-over 73 that left him at one-under for the tournament.</p><p>American Charles Warren made the biggest move of the day, vaulting from 32nd place to a tie for sixth with a four-under 68.</p><p>Lucas Glover carded a 69 and Charley Hoffman, who began the day in third place, settled for a 74 to join Warren on 211.</p><p>Torrey Pines was the site of last year's epic US Open victory for Tiger Woods, who won a 19-hole playoff over Rocco Mediate despite playing with a torn ligament and stress fractures in his left leg.</p><p>Woods then underwent reconstructive surgery on his knee and has yet to return to competition since.</p><p>The absence of Woods gives the tournament a decidedly different look. The superstar has won the Buick Invitational six times, including the last four.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=42129694&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>


Copyright 2009  <a href="http://www.afp.com/english/links/?pid=copyright">AFP American Edition</a></div></div>


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