From leader to chaser, Beem was uncertain

CHASKA, Minn. -- There was no reason to expect Rich Beem to be leading the PGA Championship with five holes to play in the third round Saturday. Apparently, Beem didn't expect it, either.

"It's a major, and guys like me aren't supposed to contend in a major," Beem said.

So because he tried being Tiger Woods instead of himself as the wind calmed down and the birdies started coming for the leaders late in the afternoon, Beem is three shots down to Justin Leonard entering Sunday's final round.

After spending 2 1/2 days carefully building a 1-shot lead going into the 14th hole, Beem lost it in a potentially pivotal five-hole swing that turned Beem from leader to chaser.

Maybe it's because he was playing on the Dakotas Tour only a couple of years ago, and not playing all that well. But it seemed as if Beem suddenly realized where he was -- and began to wonder what he was doing there.

"I don't have any expectations of winning," he said. "It takes something special to win a major, and I don't know if I've got it. ... It's going to be really tough to catch Leonard."

So much for being overconfident.

What might have hurt him was being overly aggressive. He started to chase birdies as the scoring conditions improved, rather than letting them come to him.

"I don't stick to game plans very well," Beem said. "I kind of make it up as I go along."

Now the former stereo salesman and assistant club pro -- he was told by his pro to either pursue a PGA career or get out of the game -- must come from behind if he's going to win his first major.

Despite sounding uncertain of his own ability to win today, Beem did so only three weeks ago in The International, holding on for his second PGA Tour victory, even as Steve Lowery had a double eagle, eagle and birdie on the last five holes.

"I'm not saying it's impossible (to win)," he said. "I'm looking forward to seeing what it takes to win a major."