Chopra hits a low after the high, slips to tied 26th

Palm Harbour, Mar 11 (UNI) India-born Swede Daniel Chopra carded a poor two-over 73, to slip to a dismal tied 26th spot after the penultimate round at Tampa Bay Championship here.

Mark Calcavecchia equalled the course record with a blistering nine-under-par 62 to share the lead with fellow American Heath Slocum.

Chopra could only manage two birdies, one each on the either side of the turn as against four bogeys, including successive bogeys on the eighth and ninth holes in the demanding Copperhead Course.

It will take a huge effort from the talented Chopra, who is at two-under 211, to end up anywhere near the top.

The 46-year-old Calcavecchia, however was on song and reeled off 10 birdies against a lone bogey.

Slocum, carded an decent four-under 67 to join his compatriot at the top of a congested leaderboard. Both the Americans are at nine-under 204.

Twice champion K J Choi of South Korea, who surged to a four-shot victory at Innisbrook last year, was alone in third place with eight-under after carding a flawless 67.

Meanwhile, world number nine Vijay Singh, the highest-ranked player in the field, was a further four strokes adrift after also shooting a 72.

UNI