He was fortunate to escape with par, not to mention his health, on the final hole when his 3-iron off the tee ran out 290 yards and just into the hazard short of the bridge. He had to clip the ball to avoid smacking the bridge and damaging his wrist, and the wedge came out perfectly.
Scott Stallings, who won last week in Mississippi, birdied his last two holes for a 63 and was four shots behind, along with Chris Kirk (63) and Bo Van Pelt (67). Stallings ended a streak of nine consecutive PGA Tour events in which the 54-hole leader failed to win. The ninth was Ernie Els coming from six shots behind at the British Open. Stalling won later that day.
Peter Fowler was 5 under after a 65, and John Cook, Barry Lane and second-round Gary Hallberg followed at 5 under. John Cook and Barry Lane shot 66, and Hallberg had a 73.
Natalie Gulbis, the 2007 winner for her lone LPGA Tour title, was a stroke back along with Karrie Webb and 17-year-old amateur Hyo Joo Kim. Gulbis had a 68, Webb shot 67, and Kim 69.