PGA Baddeley, Furyk have Verizon lead
The 25-year-old Australian is speaking at an Easter Sunrise service.
HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) -- Aaron Baddeley hopes to cap a big weekend with his first PGA Tour victory.
Baddeley shot a 66 on Saturday and was tied for the lead with Jim Furyk (68) at 14-under entering the final round of the Heritage Verizon.
First, the 25-year-old Australian and wife, Richelle, will celebrate their first wedding anniversary, and he will be the featured speaker at an Easter Sunrise Service at Harbour Town Golf Links.
"It's something I definitely cherish," Baddeley said. "I think it's a perfect way to set the day."
And Baddeley knows how he wants to close it.
"I'm very confident. I'm hitting the ball very nicely. I'm putting very well," he said.
Three shots back
The final round could be one to remember at Harbour Town. Billy Mayfair (68) was three shots behind at 11 under.
Then at 10 under came Jerry Kelly (66) and Ernie Els, the only one of golf's "Big Five" to play the week after the Masters.
Lucas Glover (66), Chris Riley (68) and former champion Jose Coceres (68) were another shot back.
Els shot a 65, tying for the lowest score of the round, to get back in contention.
While Furyk saw that he and Baddeley had separated themselves a bit from the pack, he won't sleep easy.
Lost lead
Furyk started the round ahead by two over Baddeley, lost that lead on the front nine yet rallied to move a stroke in front with three straight birdies on Nos. 15-17.
But Furyk was long with his 8-iron from the 18th fairway, his ball rolling in a bunker behind the lighthouse hole's green.
Furyk had an awkward stance and said he tried to guide the ball onto the green. As most duffers can tell you, that rarely works. Furyk's shot came up short of the putting surface and he settled for bogey and the tie.
Furyk is trying for his first victory since last year's Western Open. Baddeley has not won a tour event.
Mayfair, who lost to Jose Coceres in a playoff in the 2001 tournament, had birdies on two of his final four holes.
Furyk's largely solid play disappeared on the front nine, missing par saves of less than 10 feet on the seventh and eight holes. His rally started with a a birdie on the 12th hole and kept going down the stretch with birdie putts of 6, 2 and 11 feet.
Baddeley will have a long day. He's scheduled to speak at the tournament's Easter Sunrise Service at 7:30 a.m. before his final round pairing with Furyk.
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