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Edwards takes over at
top of leaderboard
Joel Edwards never plays
in the big events. But he's looking to change that this week.
Less than two months removed
from his first title in 11 full seasons on the PGA Tour, Edwards carded a 7-under-par
65 on a chilly Saturday to rocket to the top of the leaderboard at the Buick Challenge.
With his second 65 this
week, Edwards reached 18-under 198 after three rounds, good for a one-shot lead
over Davis Love III. Neal Lancaster is third at 200, with Chris DiMarco fourth
at 202.
No one else is really close
to Edwards, who is close to a rare appearance in one of the tour's marquee events.
He needs to win Sunday to qualify for next week's Tour Championship.
"That would be something
pretty special," said Edwards, who won last month's Air Canada Championship.
"I don't really have an answer to that, but it would be something very special
if that cna happen. Hopefully, we will have to talk about that tomorrow."
Edwards, who turns 40 next
month, has never played in the Tour Championship, which invites the top 30 players
on the money list. He also has not participated in a major tournament since 1996.
Even when Edwards has had
a chance to compete in the big events, he really hasn't. In March, he was disqualified
after the first round of the Players Championship.
Love followed a 62 with
a frosty 69 but still is in position for his second title of the season. The fifth-ranked
player in the world has been battling a disk problem in his back.
"My goal was to come
out and test my strength, my fitness from a long break and try to get ready for
the Tour Championship and have a chance to win at the end of the year," he
said. "So I have put myself in that position."
Players weren't able to
get in many positions Saturday as temperatures at Callaway Gardens Resort dipped
into the 40s. Love said it made the Mountain View course tough to play.
"The wind was about
the same, but it was whatever, 20 degrees colder," said Love, who had five
birdies and two bogeys on Saturday. "And it was a tough, tough wind to play
in."
Lancaster did Love a stroke
better, shooting a 68 to stay within two shots of Edwards. Just 118th on the money
list, Lancaster said he has no chance against Love and Edwards, his playing partner
in the third round.
"Watching him and watching
me is a totally different game," said Lancaster. whose only title came in
1994. "I am kind of a slasher where they are good players."
Edwards continues to prove
he is a good player. He was bogey-free Saturday with five birdies and an eagle
at the par-5 11th hole, where he sank an 18-foot putt.
Birdies at the 14th and
15th holes helped Edwards sleep with the lead. At least, he thinks he will sleep.
"It's a good feeling,"
he said. "It's nerve-wracking, but it's part of it. It's what you play for.
It's what you practice for.
"I am looking forward
to playing tomorrow and seeing how I do. Whether it goes good or bad, you have
to prepare yourself for both. I am sure I will sleep fine. I don't know how I
will eat."
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