Azinger looks set to break drought

Paul Azinger, bidding for his first victory since the 1993 PGA Championship, shot a 2-under 68 today and held a five-stroke lead over Jesper Parnevik and Stuart Appleby after three rounds of the $2.9 million Sony Open.

Azinger was diagnosed with lymphoma in December 1993 and missed most of the next season.

Azinger, a three-time runnerup who had five other top 10 finishes when this tournament was known as the Hawaiian Open, bogeyed two of the first four holes. His slip allowed John Huston to narrow the margin to two strokes through the first seven holes.

But Azinger ran off birdies on the par-3 eighth and 11th, as well as the 510-yard 10th, to stay ahead of the field. At the 54-hole mark, he was at 14-under 196.

Parnevik, who started the day seven strokes behind Azinger, closed with birdies on the last two holes for a 4-under 66. He's at 201 with Appleby, who shot a 68.

Appleby, who started the day sharing second with Huston and Jim Furyk, birdied the final two holes.

Huston, meanwhile, faded to finish with a 70. He is tied with Jerry Kelly, who carded a 71, at 203.

Tom Lehman made the day's biggest jump, shooting a 5-under 65 to climb into a third-place tie with Scott Dunlap at 202.

It wasn't a good day for Furyk at the windy Waialae Country Club course. He bogeyed five of the first eight holes and finished with a 73.

Defending champion Jeff Sluman dropped three strokes and was at 207.

Ernie Els and Jeff Maggert were at 204 with Sean Murphy another stroke behind.

Two Japan PGA Tour players, Shigeki Maruyama and Kaname Yokoo, were among those at 4-under 206.

Gary Nicklaus, son of Jack Nicklaus, shot a 72 to reach the 54-hole mark at 211.

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