Golf Roundup : 63 Just What Dr. Morgan Ordered to Take the Lead

Dr. Gil Morgan, a six-time PGA Tour winner who is battling back from a shoulder injury, overcame gusty winds to shoot a seven-under-par 63 Saturday and take a one-stroke lead in the third round of the $500,000 Hardee’s golf tournament at Coal Valley, Ill.

Morgan, 40, began the third round six strokes off the lead but made up ground with eight birdies, including three straight on the front nine. His 54-hole total is 198, 12 under par.

“It was probably one of the best putting rounds I’ve had in a long time,” said Morgan, who has played in eight tournaments since undergoing successful surgery for a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder last September.

Kenny Knox, seeking his second tour victory, shot a 66 and was at 199. Second-round leader Brad Fabel shot a one-over-par 70 and dropped into a third-place tie with Mark McCumber and Fred Wadsworth at 200.

Becky Pearson rolled in 50-foot birdie putts on consecutive holes and added a pair of late birdies to shoot a two-under-par 70 and take the lead in the third round of the $300,000 Boston Five tournament at Danvers, Mass.

Pearson, who started the day two strokes off the pace, was at 207 after 54 holes. That was one shot better than second-round leader Jody Rosenthal, who struggled to a 73 in the humid, 92-degree weather.

Defending champion Jane Geddes made a strong surge late in the round to finish with a 67 and was tied at 210 with Hollis Stacy (72), Patty Sheehan (69) and Donna White (69).

Defending champion Bruce Crampton shot a five-under-par-67 to extend his lead after two rounds of the Syracuse seniors tournament.

Crampton’s 36-hole score of 132 left him three shots in front of the PGA Seniors Tour’s leading money-winner, Chi Chi Rodriguez, who made six birdies while shooting a 67. Crampton had led by one shot after the first round.

Peter Thomson, who won this event in 1985, was four strokes back after his second straight 68.

Kevin Johnson, capitalizing on his strong early play, scored an easy victory in the 62nd U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship at Glenview Golf Course in Cincinnati.

Johnson, 20, of Pembroke, Mass., won the first four holes and seven of the first nine, then coasted to a 10-and-9 victory over Jimmy England, 25, of Gastonia, N.C.