Kirk Takes One-Stroke Edge into Final Round of Sony Open


Chris Kirk fired a 5-under 65 to assume the 54-hole lead in the Sony Open. The $5.6 million PGA Tour event is taking place at Waialea Country Club in Honolulu.

Kirk, a 28-year-old from Georgia with two Tour victories, carded six birdies and a bogey Saturday to reach 12-under 198, a stroke ahead of Will Wilcox (64) and Harris English (67).

Jerry Kelly (66) and Jimmy Walker (67) share fourth at 200, while another stroke back are Jeff Overton (65), Robert Allenby (65), Retief Goosen (66), Pat Perez (66), Zach Johnson (66) and Japan's Hideto Tanihara (70). Also at 201 is 36-hole leader Brian Stuard, who shot a 71.

John Peterson (65), Brendon Todd (66), Jason Dufner (67), Ryan Palmer (67) and Marc Leishman (71) are four strokes behind Kirk.

Defending champion Russell Henley carded a 69 and is tied for 55th at 207.

John Daly matched Wilcox for Saturday's low round, a 6-under 64, and moved up to 18th at 203 along with eight other players. Reigning Masters' champion Adam Scott shot a 71 to fall into a tie for 27th at 204.

After opening with a 63 to take the first-round lead, South Korea's Sang-Moon Bae has recorded two straight 70s and is among those at 203.

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