Leonard's 65 gives him two-shot lead
Saturday, September 23
SAN ANTONIO -- Justin Leonard has come so close in the past.
On Saturday, the 1997 British Open champion emerged with a
two-stroke lead to once again put himself in contention to win the
Texas Open.
Leonard shot a 5-under-par 65 for a 13-under 197 after three
rounds. He was followed by Mark Wiebe, who also had a 65 Saturday
for a three-day total of 199, and Blaine McCallister at 200.
"I'm very excited," said Leonard, who tied for second at the
Texas Open in 1998 and also finished second in 1995. Leonard missed
last year's tournament at La Cantera Golf Club because of the Ryder
Cup.
"This is probably the best position I've been in going into a
fourth round" this year, said Leonard, who has four career titles.
Leonard nailed three birdie putts from 12 feet or closer over
the first 10 holes. He birdied the 15th and 16th from 10-20 feet
before bogeying the par-3 17, where he dropped the ball into the
rough, hit a chip shot that was 8 feet short and then missed the
putt. He recovered with a birdie from 15 feet on the final hole.
"I hit the ball very solid -- didn't hit it super close all day
long -- but I hit enough really good shots to give myself a
chance," he said.
Leonard shared the lead with Wiebe and two others after the
first round, then fell behind the leaders Friday after
double-bogeying the 16th hole.
The former University of Texas star has not won a PGA tournament
since the 1998 Players Championship. Ranked 22nd this year on the
money list at $1.3 million, Leonard finished second this season at
the Memorial Tournament, the Kemper Open and the WGC NEC
Invitational.
Wiebe, meanwhile, has not won a PGA title since Hardee's Golf
Classic in 1986. His only other victory was at the 1985
Anheuser-Busch Classic. This year, his best finish was at the MCI
Classic, where he tied for 15th.
On Saturday, he had eight birdies and three bogeys, completing
the round with birdie putts from 5 and 20-25 feet.
"It's nice to play like I'm playing. It's been a long time,"
Wiebe said. "I'm excited to have a chance to win, for sure."
McCallister, who last won a PGA tournament in 1993 and finished
second at this year's Compaq Classic, birdied five of his first 12
holes to drop to 12-under, then bogeyed the 13th and 18th to finish
with a 67.
"I'm happy. I played a good, solid round of golf," McCallister
said.
"Three shots back, anything can happen," he said. "Hopefully
tomorrow I can put a little pressure on him (Leonard) early."
Loren Roberts, who was atop the leader board after two rounds
with a 131, fell to fifth after shooting a 72-203.
Jim Gallagher Jr. was at 201 after a 64.
