PGA Funk takes 1-shot lead in Madison

Steve Pate and Chris Couch were tied for second.
MADISON, Miss. (AP) -- U.S. Ryder Cup player Fred Funk surged to the top of the leaderboard in the Southern Farm Bureau Classic, shooting an 8-under 64 on Saturday to take a one-stroke lead over Steve Pate and slumping Chris Couch.
The 48-year-old Funk, who won the 1998 tournament for the last of his five PGA Tour titles, had an eagle, seven birdies and a bogey on the Annandale Golf Club course to finish 54 holes at 16-under 200.
"I still feel like I need to shoot 7 under or better," Funk said. "There are a lot of birdies out there. Making a birdie is like making a deposit in the bank."
Couch shot a 68, and Pate had a 69.
Couch has made only four cuts in 22 events this year and has earned just $28,283.
"I was talking to my caddie the other day and he said. 'I would have put my head in a blender by now if I were you."' Couch said. "That's what kind of year it's been. But I felt real comfortable this week. Hopefully it will continue. I'm having a lot of fun."
In contention
Kevin Na (66), Greg Chalmers (67) and John Senden (69) were two strokes back, and Kirk Triplett (65), Ryan Palmer (66), J.J. Henry (66), Carl Pettersson (67), Loren Roberts (68) and Pat Bates (68) were another shot behind.
Funk eagled the par-5 fifth hole -- hitting a 216-yard approach shot to 9 feet -- to reach 10 under, and followed with three straight birdies. He added another birdie on No. 10 and closed with consecutive birdies -- holing a 17-footer on No. 17 -- to take the lead in the event played opposite the American Express Championship in Ireland.
"The eagle on 5 was big," Funk said. "That started the little run. That was a big stretch of holes. When I got back with the leaders. I wanted to keep it going. I ran into a little drought there, but I finished strong."
In addition to his 1998 victory, the former University of Maryland coach tied for sixth in the 200 tournament and was third in 2001.
"I enjoy coming here. I like this course," he said.
Pate, who won the last of his six PGA Tour titles in 1998, had four birdies and bogey in the third round. "I shot a 69, but it felt more like an 80 because I hit several bad shots," Pate said.
Copyright 2004 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.