Goosen moves two ahead at tricky Riviera

By Mark Lamport-Stokes PACIFIC PALISADES, California (Reuters) - South African veteran Retief Goosen survived a trying time on the back nine in tough scoring conditions at the Northern Trust Open to stretch his lead to two shots after the third round on Saturday. A stroke in front overnight, Goosen ground out a two-under-par 69 on a firm and fast-running Riviera Country Club where the players faced a testing challenge reminiscent of a major championship. The 46-year-old South African, a twice former U.S. Open winner, rebounded from four bogeys in six holes after the turn with two late birdies to post an eight-under total of 205. "It wasn't easy out there for me," Goosen, a seven-times winner on the PGA Tour who has not triumphed on the circuit since the 2009 Transitions Championship, told reporters.

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