Three Share Lead in Tampa Bay Championship


Kevin Streelman made up a lot of ground Saturday in the $5.5 million Tampa Bay Championship at Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, Fla. The 34-year-old Illinois native carded the low round of the day, a 6-under 65, at the Copperhead course to take a share of the lead with fellow American Justin Leonard and South Africa's George Coetzee.

Streelman began the third round seven strokes out of the lead, but now shares the leaderboard's top spot at 6-under 207 with 12-time Tour winner Leonard (67) and the 26-year-old Coetzee (68), a four-time winner on the Sunshine Tour.

Streelman, who carded six birdies on the tough par-71 course, had a plan before teeing off Saturday and managed to meet his goal. "I wanted to get to 6 under today," he told PGATour.com. "I had that number in my mind to at least have a chance going into tomorrow so I was happy to get there. The wind out here can wreak havoc on us. It's turned quite a bit and glad I'm done. Tomorrow is supposed to be beautiful, as well."

The trio's lead isn't safe, however, as only one stroke back are Jim Furyk (67), Ben Kohles (69), Greg Chalmers (69) and Tag Ridings (70), while sharing eighth at 209 are defending champion Luke Donald (67), Bryce Molder (68), Jordan Spieth (69), Brian Harman (72) and 36-hole leader, Shawn Stefani, who posted a 3-over 74.

After opening with a 70 and 72, Donald played much better in the third round thanks to two birdies on each the front and back nines. "It was nice to go around this course not make a mistake, not drop a shot, and you know, I wanted to shoot 5- or 6-under, nearly got there, a couple missed putts and didn't birdie any par fives," Donald told PGATour.com. "Could have been a really low round today. But yeah, certainly moving in the right direction, as I said, I feel like my game has been close, and obviously starting to show with some results.

"It's a fine line between success and finishing 30th," Donald added. "I think a lot of my fans and myself, you know, have always expected me to see me in the top 10 and up at the top of the leaderboard every week and sometimes golf is just not that easy."

Only three shots behind the leaders are Roberto Castro (68), Justin Hicks (69), Sergio Garcia (72) and Harris English (73). Four back are Jimmy Walker (70), Cameron Tringale (70), Matt Kuchar (71) and Jason Dufner (74).

Peter Tomasulo, who started Saturday only a stroke behind Stefani, shot a 75 to drop down into a tie for 21st at 1-under 212 with 13 others, including multiple Tour winners K.J. Choi and Adam Scott, who each posted 5-over 76s.

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