Maruyama Retains Lead at Nelson Classic

Ernie Els made a big charge early and Phil Mickelson staggered down the stretch. At the end of a hot and gusty day in the Byron Nelson Classic at Irving, Texas, Saturday, everyone was in the same situation--trying to catch Shigeki Maruyama.

Maruyama, the second-round leader, holed a seven-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole for a two-under 68 that gave him a three-stroke lead over Cameron Beckman.

Maruyama recovered from two bogeys in the middle of his round by making a great par save from the thick rough on No. 15, and his birdie on the 18th put him at 12-under 198 through three rounds.

It was the first time Maruyama has held the 54-hole lead on the PGA Tour.

Beckman earned a spot in the last group with a 66, the best score among late starters when the gusts approached 30 mph.

Els shot a bogey-free 64 to move into a tie for third at seven-under 203 in a group that included past Nelson champion Loren Roberts (68) and Lee Janzen (70). Mickelson, who moved to nine under and only one stroke out of the lead, finished with a 71 and is at six under. Tiger Woods was another stroke back at five under after a 69.

Woods plodded along with pars, but birdies on two of his last three holes gave him a 69 and left him at 205, needing another low round today to have a chance.

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Nineteen-year-old rookie Natalie Gulbis shot a career-best six-under 66 to take a one-stroke lead after the third round of the Aerus Electrolux USA Championship at Franklin, Tenn.

Gulbis, playing only her seventh event since joining the LPGA Tour full-time, birdied four of the first seven holes and finished with seven birdies and only one bogey to reach 11 under.

Brandie Burton, the leader after two rounds, shot a 70 to drop into a tie with Pat Hurst (67) at 10-under 206. Annika Sorenstam (70) is two strokes back along with Grace Park (67).

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Bruce Lietzke shot an eight-under 64 to take a two-stroke lead over Larry Nelson after the second round of the TD Waterhouse Championship at Kansas City, Mo. Lietzke finished at 11-under 133 on the soaked Tiffany Greens course, which could be unplayable for today’s final round if another round of thunderstorms rolls in as forecast. Nelson shot 66.... England’s Barry Lane shot a course-record seven-under 65 to take a two-stroke lead in the Benson and Hedges International at Sutton Coldfield, England. John Daly shot a 74 to drop seven strokes back.