Charlie Wi aims for come-from-behind win

The challenge of chasing down the leader on a course as difficult as the one at Aronimink Golf Club could be tough for someone who has never won on the PGA Tour.

But Charlie Wi has won tournaments overseas - nine, to be exact - and has been in contention several times before on the tour, so he's just accepting the challenge and having fun with it.

"It's not a lot of fun when you're in 30th place," the South Korean-born Wi said after firing an even-par 70 in the third round of the AT&T National to stand 4 strokes behind 54-hole leader Justin Rose. "It's a lot of fun when you're in contention, and people are pulling for you and you're trying your best to win a tournament."

The 28-year-old Wi, who lives in Westlake Village, Calif., was tied for second place with Carl Pettersson going into Sunday's final round. Pettersson fired a 65, the best round of the day, and posted a 204 score that Wi matched almost 90 minutes later.

In each of his last three years on the PGA Tour, Wi has posted a second-place finish, the most recent being at the 2009 Zurich Classic of New Orleans. His last victory came at the 2006 Maybank Malaysian Open on the European Tour.

So he's got some experience in these situations. The next thing is to capitalize on his opportunity.

"The PGA Tour is the toughest tour in the world," he said. "You give yourself enough chances, and you'll break through."

However, it's probably going to be tougher to make up ground at Aronimink, where the rough is tall and the greens are slick and birdies don't come in bunches. Wi and Pettersson would probably be better off if Rose came back to them.

"This course is not like last week's, where you could make tons of birdies," Wi said, referring to the Travelers Championship. "I know that you have to be really patient out there. I know 1 or 2 under sounds really easy, but this golf course is definitely not easy."

Wi was 1 stroke behind Rose in the middle of Saturday's round but found a major bump at the par-3 14th hole. He hit a 7-iron to the middle of the green, but the ball rolled over into the rough. He chipped to within six feet, then three-putted for a double bogey.

"Actually it's the first par-3 where I made double," he said. "The greens are getting really firm out there. I was a little disappointed that I couldn't get away with a bogey."

He had another three-putt at the back nine's other par-3 hole, No. 17.

Pettersson, who was born in Sweden but now calls Raleigh, N.C., home, wasn't pristine with his ball-striking; he hit only 12 greens, but notched the low number thanks to 24 putts.

"I played pretty good on the front, but I missed quite a few greens," said Pettersson, who has three PGA Tour victories, the last being the 2008 Wyndham Championship. "I think I only had 10 putts on the front nine. But that's what you've got to do around here. You've got to hit good shots to the green.

"But then on the back nine, I played more solid. I hit a lot more fairways, a lot more greens, and it was an enjoyable day."

Pettersson, who finished a career-low 136th on the money list last year, said he's not going to worry Sunday about Rose, but just concern himself with Aronimink.

"The course is tough," he said. "You've just got to concentrate on hitting the fairway and hitting a few greens, and when you get a chance to make some putts, go ahead and do it."