MONTREAL (AP) — Jim Furyk moved into position for his third Canadian Open victory, shooting a 5-under 65 on Saturday to take a three-stroke lead at Royal Montreal.
The 44-year-old Furyk, the 2006 winner at Hamilton and 2007 champion at Angus Glen, had a 15-under 195 total after opening with rounds of 67 and 63. He won the last of his 16 PGA Tour titles in 2010.
“(I’m) not really worrying about what position I’m in,” Furyk said about his Sunday approach. “Not looking at the leaderboard too much. Going out there and trying to attack the golf course the same way I have the first three days. I noticed there aren’t many leaderboards on the course, that might be a good thing.”
Coming off a final-round 65 in a fourth-place finish last week in the British Open last Sunday, Furyk has had only one bogey — on the fourth hole of the first round — at Royal Montreal. He leads the field in greens in regulation, hitting 45 of 54 greens, and his tied for third in fairways hit at 33 of 42.
South Africa’s Tim Clark was second after a 64 on the tree-lined Blue Course.
“The guys that are out there who have played well for three days are all capable,” Furyk said. “Timmy Clark’s got a lot of experience. Kyle’s won before.”
Clark had a birdie-eagle start.
“It’s always great to get off to a good start,” Clark said. “Saturdays are normally the toughest day to score on, so you dream of a start like that.”
He tied for fifth two weeks ago in the John Deere Classic, helping to turn around a middling season that included a problem with his left elbow.
“Right now I feel good and I am able to swing how I want to,” Clark said. “Three months ago I started to hit the ball good again, but I just wasn’t scoring. Finally, the last few tournaments, I’ve started to score.”
Kyle Stanley had a 68 to reach 10 under, and Jamie Lovemark was another stroke back after a 67.
Graham DeLaet, trying to become the first Canadian winner in the event in 60 years, was tied for fifth at 8 under after a 70. Tim Petrovic (72), tied for the second-round lead with Furyk, also was 8 under along with Joe Durant (67) and Scott Brown (69).
“Disappointing to three-putt the last,” DeLaet said. “I really wanted to make that birdie and got over-aggressive. But it was a fun day. The crowds were amazing out there. Hopefully, I can do something special.”
With thunderstorms forecast for Sunday, the tee times were moved up and the players will play in threesomes — starting on both the first and 10th tees. The third round was played in breezy, overcast weather, with brief light rain in the afternoon.
NOTES: Brandt Snedeker, the winner last year at Glen Abbey in Oakville, Ontario, was tied for 14th at 5 under after a 67. … Pat Fletcher, born in England, was the last Canadian winner, taking the 1954 event at Point Grey in Vancouver, British Columbia. After his playing days, Fletcher was the head professional at Royal Montreal. Carl Keffer is the only Canadian-born champion, winning in 1909 and 1914. Albert Murray, a Canadian also born in England, won in 1908 and 1913.
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