Donald on Top Heading into Sunday at RBC Heritage


Luke Donald carded a 5-under 66 for a two-shot lead through 54 holes of the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links. The 36-year-old Englishman, a former No. 1, is in position for his first PGA Tour victory since the Transitions Championship in March 2012.

Donald carded an eagle on the par-5 second hole and added two birdies and three bogeys on the front nine to make the turn in 1-under 35. On the home half, the Chicago resident warmed up with four more birdies for a 4-under 31.

Donald enjoys playing the Pete Dye-designed course, where he's had some success - but hasn't won. He lost to Brandt Snedeker in a playoff in 2011 and has four top-three finishes since 2009.

"I felt really comfortable here today," Donald said during a greenside TV interview. "I felt like I was going to play well . . . I like how I'm striking the ball."

It was a long Saturday at the $5.8 million tournament in Hilton Head, S.C. Heavy rains on Friday postponed many second rounds for the players, who returned Saturday morning to complete them before commencing the third round.

When the first 36 holes concluded, K.J. Choi, Jim Furyk and Ben Martin shared the halfway lead at 5-under 137.

Two strokes back behind Donald is John Huh, who carded 68s in both the second and third rounds, while three behind are South Africa's Charl Schwartzel (68), Nicholas Thompson (68), Furyk (71) and Martin (71).

Schwarzel, winless since his Masters' title in 2011and in a bit of a victory drought like Donald, is looking forward to Sunday. "I think if I can continue the ball-striking and giving myself chances I can make a few (birdies) tomorrow and give it a shot," he noted.

Sharing seventh at 4-under are Scotland's Russell Knox (68) and Americans Brian Stuard (68), Brian Harman (69), Matt Kuchar (70) and Matt Every (70).

An all-American quartet of Jason Kokrak, Richard H. Lee, Scott Brown and Ted Potter, Jr. are at 3-under 210. Kokrak matched Donald with the low third round of 66.

Another stroke back in a tie for 16th are Rory Sabbatini, Robert Allenby, Kevin Streelman Geoff Ogilvy, Choi and amateur Matthew Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick has recorded scores of 71, 71 and 69, while Choi followed up his opening 70 and 67 with a 74 Saturday afternoon.

Jordan Spieth has posted 69, 74 and 70 to go in the final round at even-par 213 on the par-71 layout.

For all the scores, visit http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html.