Little-known Gene Sauers captured the third round lead of the PGA Air Canada Championship with a fine six-under 66 to be 13-under in the $3.5million event.
"I hit a lot of good tee shots, hit a lot of fairways, hit a lot of greens and made the putts that I had to make," said the 40-year-old American who is one shot ahead of Australians Robert Allenby and Peter Lonard.
Things look up for Allenby, who fell five strokes off the pace before a strong finish. He bogeyed two of his first five holes but birdied four of the last seven, including the final two.
"It was a good way to finish," said Allenby. "I did what I set out to do walking out on the 10th tee and I managed to get a few of them."
"Hopefully, one of us can come out tomorrow and play well enough to win," commented Allenby on the possibility of and Australian winner.
Steve Lowery, among the hottest players on tour, is fourth at 11-under 202, with second-round leader Craig Barlow and Kevin Sutherland at 203.
Sauers began the day two strokes behind Barlow but jumped to the top of the leaderboard with a round that included six birdies and a bogey. He closed with six consecutive pars.
Sauers is a surprise leader, considering he is appearing in just his fourth PGA Tour event of the year and 20th since the start of the 1999 season.
Sauers is seeking his third PGA Tour win. He claimed the 1986 Bank of Boston Classic in his third year as a pro and won the 1989 Hawaiian Open.
"I don't have anything to lose and everything to gain. I will play hard tomorrow," Sauers said.
Darren Clarke finds himself five shots off the pace going into the final round. The Ulsterman maintained form from a second round 67 by carding a 66 yesterday.
AFP