Long putter helps Lehman lead by one



He took the long putter out of his bag and shot a 66 in the third round.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
LAS VEGAS -- Tom Lehman has a love-hate relationship with the long putter that sometimes makes its way into his bag. Lately, he's been finding a lot more to love about it than ever before.
Lehman, using the long putter he put back in his bag only last month, shot a 66 Saturday to take a one-stroke lead over Dicky Pride and Andre Stolz going into the final round of the Michelin Championship at Las Vegas.
Lehman took advantage of light morning winds to hit 17 greens, but it was his putting that helped him make eight birdies for his first 54-hole lead in five years.
"The putting has been the thing that has been just driving me crazy the last three years," Lehman said. "I've been hitting it basically well and, at times, very well with nothing to show for it."
Lehman had plenty to show after his third round in the 60s put him at 17 under and in the final pairing today for the first time since the Buick Open in 1999.
Asahi Ryokuken
NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. -- Liselotte Neumann moved closer to her first LPGA Tour victory in six years, firing a 69 Saturday for a one-shot lead at the LPGA Asahi Ryokuken International Championship.
At 11-under 205, Neumann was a stroke ahead of Becky Morgan (70) and three in front of Sophie Gustafson (66), Grace Park (68), Laura Davies (70) and Cristie Kerr (70).
She had birdies on two of her first three holes, including a tap-in on the par-3 third when her tee shot finished 3 feet from the cup. Neumann took the lead outright when Andrews misplayed a tricky downhill chip on the fourth for bogey.
Neumann added birdies on the 10th and 12th holes to extend her lead.
Her only slip-up was on the par-3 15th when her tee shot landed next to a tree. She had to chip backwards away from the flagstick, then hit up within 5 feet and make the bogey putt.
Neumann scrambled at the end, saving par with a 7-footer on the 17th and a 3-footer on the 18th.
Administaff Small Business Classic
SPRING, Texas -- Wayne Levi shot a 5-under 67 Saturday to take a two-shot lead over D.A. Weibring after two rounds of the Administaff Small Business Classic.
Levi, coming off a victory at the Constellation Energy Classic and bidding for consecutive wins for the first time in his career, moved to 13-under 131 at Augusta Pines Golf Club. Weibring carded a 7-under 65 to get to 133.
Hale Irvin (68) is another two shots back at 135.
Walter Hall, who shared a two-shot lead with Levi after an opening 64, had a second-round 72 and dropped five strokes off the pace. He's tied with Peter Jacobsen (67), Jim Thorpe (69), John Harris (69) and Jim Dent (70) at 136.
Dunhill Links
ST. ANDREWS, Scotland -- Luke Donald shot a 4-under-par 68 Saturday for a two-stroke lead after three rounds of the Dunhill Links Championship.
The Englishman was at 17-under 199 at Carnoustie. Two of his countrymen and Ryder Cup teammates, Ian Poulter (65) and David Howell (71), were at 201. Poulter's excellent round came at Carnoustie, the most difficult of the three courses being played. Howell, the second-round leader, also played Carnoustie.
Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell also was two back. He shot a record-equaling 10-under 62 on The Old Course on Thursday, followed with a 72 Friday at Carnoustie and a 5-under 67 Saturday at Kingsbarns.
The final round Sunday is at the Old Course.
Stephen Gallacher of Scotland was three strokes off the lead after a 66 at the Old Course. Four others, including Ernie Els, were another two shots behind. Els shot a 68 Saturday at Carnoustie.
Top-ranked Vijay Singh had a 69 at Carnoustie, leaving him eight shots off the lead.
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