SHANGHAI - Adam Scott believes his caddie's racial comment about former boss Tiger Woods was taken out of context and wasn't a distraction to him. He showed that much in the final hour of the HSBC Champions to charge back into contention.

Steve Williams was given a mock award for "Celebration of the Year" at the caddies' awards dinner. In an evening full of banter and salty language, Williams was being interviewed on stage when he was asked why he gave a TV interview after Scott won the Bridgestone Invitational. Williams replied: "My aim was to shove it right up that black a------."

Williams issued an apology before the third round of the HSBC Champions, and Scott said that was enough for him.

"Didn't distract me too badly in the end today," Scott said after a birdie-birdie-eagle finish for a 69, leaving him three shots behind Fredrik Jacobson going into the final round of the World Golf Championship.

"Look, anything with Tiger involved is a story," Scott said. "I value Steve's contribution to my game and to have him on the bag. While he's caddying, I hope he can caddie for me."

Overlooked in all this was Jacobson, who won his first PGA Tour event this summer at the Travelers Championship and is on the cusp of adding an even bigger title.

Jacobson was at 16-under 200, breaking by two shots the 54-hole tournament record.

China's Zhang Xinjun shot 64, putting him at 206 in a three-way tie for eight and six strokes off the lead.

Associated Press