Associated Press
Saturday, November 11

SOTOGRANDE, Spain -- Lee Westwood is getting closer to overtaking Colin Montgomerie as the top money winner in European golf.

Westwood shot a 4-under 68 Saturday, leaving him 4-under for three rounds at the American Express Championship.

Montgomerie is virtually out of contention after his 73 put him at 1-under for three rounds. He must win the American Express Championship to have any chance at an eighth straight European money title.

"Don't mention the Order of Merit, please," he said. "I've had enough."

Two other players would have to win the tournament to have any shot at the money title -- Michael Campbell (69-220) and Thomas Bjorn (71-218).

Darren Clarke, who tops the money list and leads Westwood by $86,000, shot a 74 and is 2-over for three rounds.

If Westwood or Clarke win the $1 million first prize, they'll also lead the money list. Since that seems unlikely, the scenario is as follows.

Westwood must finish in at least the top eight Sunday. Any finish lower won't earn him enough money to overtake Clarke, no matter what Clarke does.

"I've given myself a a great chance in putting myself right in there," he said. "I can go on and finish well here and also win the Order of Merit."

"I thought this morning I'd have to come out quickly, and I did sure enough," said Westwood, who was 4 -nder at the turn. "Any day you walk off at Valderrama under par you're normally delighted."

Ace angel
Angel Cabrera wasn't about to be outdone by Colin Montgomerie's hole-in-on.

The Argentine picked up an ace Saturday with an 8-iron on the 163-yard sixth.

On Friday, Montgomerie got his second hole-in-one in a week, using a 4-iron at the 197-yard 12th hole. Last week, Montgomerie had an ace with a 6-iron on the 14th in Jerez, Spain.

Cabrera's hole-in-one was a record 34th on the European tour this season, topping the mark of 32 in 1990.

He shot a 5-under 67 and is 1-under for three rounds.

Rocco out
Rocco Mediate withdrew before the start of Saturday's third round with a back injury. He shot rounds of 71 and 78 and was 15 shots behind second-round leader Nick Price.

South Africa's Ernie Els pulled out after playing only nine holes on the first day with similar back problems.

Shooting eagles
The eagles have landed.

Valderrama's billionaire owner Jaime Ortiz-Patino added 75 yards to the seventh hole this year, converting it to a par-5. He promised to change it if it were too easy.

It appears to be. Eight eagles have been scored there through three rounds. In the span of about 40 minutes Saturday, three players in three consecutive twosomes scored 3 -- Gary Orr, Kirk Triplett and Lee Westwood.

South Africa's Retief Goosen eagled the hole in the first and second round. Chris Perry, Hidemichi Tanaka and Steve Flesch also produced eagles.