Coming From Ahead to Lose

3rd-Round Leader Appleby Shoots 40 on Front 9, Falls Behind Choi and Stricker

For the second time in three months, Stuart Appleby was the golfer to beat. And at the AT&T National yesterday, just like at the Masters, he failed to capitalize.

Appleby vaulted to the top of the AT&T National scoreboard with a first-round 66 and stayed there for 54 holes. He entered yesterday's final round with a two-stroke lead over K.J. Choi, his playing partner.

But it didn't take long for Appleby's edge -- and composure -- to melt away in the 95-degree heat at Congressional Country Club. He unraveled on the front nine and fired a 76 that relegated him to three-way tie for third place at 3 under par.

Appleby finished the afternoon in a manner that typified his round -- with a bogey on No. 18, caused by an uncooperative putter.

The 36-year-old Australian couldn't hide his disappointment as he trudged to the scorer's tent. After signing his scorecard, Appleby, generally considered an affable fellow, signed a ball for a standard bearer, then blew past the cameras and tape recorders, pausing only to ask a marshal which golf cart would take him back to clubhouse. When asked for an interview, Appleby spun around and snapped: "No. I don't want to talk about it. Why don't you talk to the winner, if you don't mind?"

Actually, there was little to discuss. His scorecard said it all: six bogeys, a double bogey and two birdies.

"It would have been good to see him play better because we could feed off each other if both of us play well," Choi said through an interpreter. "It was unfortunate to see him struggle at the beginning. His three-putt [on number 2] made it difficult for him."

Appleby's blowup was reminiscent of his final round in the Masters, when he began the afternoon with a one-stroke lead over Tiger Woods and Justin Rose in April. Appleby struggled from the outset at Augusta National, double-bogeying the first hole, and never recovered. He wound up shooting 75 that dropped him into a tie for seventh place.

Now he'll be haunted by another blown chance to distinguish himself on a large stage.

Appleby's struggles yesterday began with a wayward drive on No. 2, a 230-yard par-3. His ball sailed over the green and into the left rough. He proceeded to three-putt, including a miss from six feet. It was his only double bogey of the tournament.

He appeared to steady himself with a par on No. 3, but that provided only a brief reprieve. With bogeys on each of next four holes, he wound up shooting 40 on the front, which dropped him out of contention.

Appleby sent his approach shot on No. 4 into the sand and had to settle for bogey. On No. 5, he missed a putt from five feet and on No. 6, a 489-yard par 4, his drive landed in left rough, leaving him a difficult approach shot. Again, he was forced to settle for bogey.

Appleby, who has eight wins on the PGA Tour, including his 1998 victory in the Kemper Open at Avenel, was unable to rediscover his touch on the green, which had served him so well the first three days, because on No. 7, a 156-yard par-3, he missed a putt from about eight feet.

"I know exactly how it feels," Choi said. "I've been in that position, too. But I don't feel sympathy. He just wasn't in the best condition today."