Golf-Firestone set for fiery finish between Sabbatini, Woods

AKRON, Ohio, Aug 5 (Reuters) Pacesetting Rory Sabbatini of South Africa and Tiger Woods could add a little spice to the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational today when they play together in the final threesome.

The outspoken Sabbatini has made no secret of his desire to go head-to-head with the world number one and sparked controversy between the two at the Wachovia Championship in early May.

The South African held a one-shot lead over the American going into the final round at Quail Hollow but dropped back into a tie for third as Woods triumphed.

Despite that experience, Sabbatini described the game's leading player as ''more beatable than ever''.

He added: ''I've seen Tiger when he hits the ball well, and I've seen Tiger when there is not a facet of his game that you're not amazed by.

''Sunday (at the Wachovia) he struggled out there. He had to battle for that win. And I think that made me realise he is as beatable as ever.'' The following day, Woods countered by saying he had won three PGA Tour titles during the 2007 season, as many as Sabbatini had accumulated in his entire career.

The South African went on to add a fourth later that month, at the Colonial tournament.

When asked about their verbal sparring after yesterday's third round at Firestone Country Club, Woods downplayed the issue while a smiling Sabbatini predicted a ''stormy day''.

Woods, who will start Sunday's final round one stroke behind the South African, told reporters: ''Obviously Rory is full of confidence. He believes in what he can do, and there's a lot to be said for that.

DOING BUSINESS ''You've got to believe in what you can do out there. I've got to go out there and do my business, and I'm sure he'll probably do the same.

''He's trying to think of ways to motivate himself,'' added the 12-times major winner, who held a share of the third-round lead with Sabbatini before bogeying the last.

''A lot of guys don't really externalise it, they internalise it. We all say things like that inside and he's just trying to gain any kind of edge mentally when you're out there playing. He just verbalises them.'' Sabbatini, who parred the last nine holes at Firestone Country Club yesterday to stay one stroke ahead of five-times champion Woods, said: ''I speak my mind, and that's the way it is.

''If you go into a tough situation and mentally you're always looking at yourself as second, you're going to be second. Obviously Tiger has done a lot to deserve all the respect he has.

''But you can only let it go so far before you're just standing there watching him play instead of being out there competing. I'm not a person that's going to sit there and watch; I want to be there competing.'' Asked if he and Woods would speak to each other during the final round, Sabbatini replied: ''Probably not.

''I'm sure there probably won't be very much talking at all going on tomorrow. But that's why we have Kenny Perry with us.'' American Perry, who climbed into third place by shooting a one-over-par 71 yesterday, is the third member of the final grouping.

Reuters TB RS1002