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Clark, in eighth, prefers view from behind

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By Nate Taylor | Saturday, July 12, 2008 11:54 PM CDT | () comments

Tim Clark of Scottsdale, Ariz., lines up a putt on the 17th-hole green during the John Deere Classic on Saturday, July 12, 2008, at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill. Clark hit a 64 in the third round to put him 12-under par. (Andrew Link/QUAD-CITY TIMES) Buy this Photo

Tim Clark said he likes where he stands.

Eighth place and three stokes off the lead is not a bad position to be in entering the final round of the John Deere Classic.

In fact, Clark probably likes where he’s at today more than where he was last year at this time. Clark had a four-stroke lead on Jonathan Byrd with five holes to go in the final round of last year’s Classic.

Clark eventually lost his lead and the tournament to Bryd.

Now, Clark is attempting to join Victor Regalado as the only player to finish second one year in the Classic and win the next. Clark said he likes being able to chase down other golfers.

“Yeah, I think so,” he said. “Another round like that and you never know. It certainly gets you excited to play (today).”

Clark worked his way up the leaderboard from 30th Saturday with eight birdies in a round of 7-under par 62. He said his injured back has felt better as the tournament has gone on.

“I wasn’t feeling very well at the start of the week,” he said. “I started feeling better, and I needed a good round today to get back in it. At least now I’m within a couple of shots.”

Clark’s 12-foot birdie putt on 18 Saturday could give him momentum heading into today’s round.

“Eighteen is a tough hole,” Clark said. “It always gets the nerves going to finish on that hole. That birdie was a bit of a bonus.”

As far as today goes, Clark said he probably will not look at the leaderboard. When thinking of last year and being questioned about his nerves, Clark sounds confident.

“If I’m nervous,” he said, “I’d better take up another sport.”

Nate Taylor can be contacted at (563) 383-2477 or ntaylor@qctimes.com.