DiMarco regains touch to pull into contention

It hasn't exactly been Chris DiMarco's year.

The PGA Tour veteran has struggled in 2008, failing to win and missing the cut in 15 tournaments, and his best finish was a tie for 12th place in August.

All that changed in a few short hours Saturday.

DiMarco recaptured his touch and dominated at TPC Summerlin, firing a 9-under-par 63 for a three-day total of 196 to put himself in contention heading into today's final round of the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. DiMarco, Mike Allen and Ken Duke trail third-round leader Marc Turnesa by one shot.

"I played flawless golf," the 40-year-old DiMarco said of the best round he has played since the 2003 Phoenix Open when he shot 62. "I've been able to minimize my mistakes."

There were indications he was going to be a factor. After a 69 in his first round Thursday, DiMarco shot a 64 Friday. It didn't get a lot of attention because Turnesa and Matt Kuchar were lighting up the course.

"This is a golf course I enjoy playing," DiMarco said. "(Friday) was the best ball-striking round I had in quite awhile, and I had a lot of confidence going into (Saturday). Today just carried over."

The other factor was DiMarco's left shoulder finally has healed after he underwent surgery in September 2007. He's finally playing pain-free and is swinging the way he's accustomed to.

Perhaps that explains DiMarco's success on the par-5 holes. He played the four longest holes at TPC Summerlin at 6 under, accounting for two-thirds of his 9-under performance Saturday.

"There's a lot of places to get aggressive," he said. "I've only chipped four or five times all week. So I'm putting it close and giving myself chances."

His eagle at No. 16 came from 70 yards as he holed out with a wedge.

"The way I'm playing right now, I just need to get out of my own way," DiMarco said.

• NOTES -- The 54-hole cut Saturday was at 208. That meant 12 golfers went home because more than 78 had made the 36-hole cut. ... Turnesa and DiMarco are in the final group and will tee off at about 12:45 p.m. today. ... Timberlake's benefit celebrity concert Friday at Planet Hollywood raised about $1 million for the Shriners Hospitals.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@ reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.