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Parry takes over lead with albatross

During a round he compared to the British Open, Craig Parry hit a shot that reminded him of an event in India, and his days as a school boy.

The Australian rode a double-eagle Friday to a 6-under-par 66 and a one-shot lead after the third round of the Invensys Classic, which has become surprise weekend on the PGA Tour.

Parry, winless in parts of 12 seasons on the tour, has a 54-hole total of 19-under 196 at this five-round event, which uses a three-course rotation.

"I have been playing really well," Parry said. "I've had a lot of good breaks this week. I've been putting well, as well."

Tom Lehman followed the lowest 36-hole total on the tour this season with a wind-blown 1-over 72 at the TPC at The Canyons and is alone in second at 18-under 197.

"Par or better today was a pretty good score," he said. "Today was not a good day to play The Canyons."

Parry's double-eagle at the 492-yard third hole of the TPC at Summerlin was the fifth on the PGA Tour this year. It helped him grab the third-round lead for the first time since the 1995 Colonial National Invitation, where he finished second -- to Lehman.

Several others are in the mix at the birdie-happy tournament, including veteran Fred Couples, who is tied for fourth at 199.

Like Lehman, Couples is a former Player of the Year on the downside of his career. And like Parry, he is in the midst of an extended title drought, going winless since 1998.

While it's eye-popping to see Parry, Lehman or Couples on any leaderboard, one that includes John Daly also is a surprise. But the recovering alcoholic is tied for eighth at 201.

Several others are in the mix, including Bob Estes, who is tied for third at 198 with Scott McCarron, whose 7-under 65 at Southern Highlands was the best round of the day. Both are winners on the tour this season.

Lefthander Steve Flesch carded a 67 at Summerlin and is tied with Couples at 199. The only player in the field without a bogey, Flesch had an eagle at No. 3.

Bob May and Andrew Magee are another shot back, with Daly and Chris DiMarco at 201.

It is not uncommon for a handful of the leaders to be in contention. But Parry is another story, even with his 18 international titles. He is 0-for-217 on the PGA Tour.

While Parry doesn't know the feeling of a PGA Tour win, he knows the feeling of an albatross, which helped him sleep on the 54-hole lead.

Parry recorded the double-eagle at the 492-yard, par-5 third hole. Using a 6-iron from 187 yards, he watched as the ball hit 12 feet short of the hole before going in the cup.

The shot got Parry within two strokes of Lehman, who had not yet teed off, and allowed him to reminisce.

"I had two double-eagles before," said the 35-year-old Parry, who matched his career-best round with Wednesday's 64. "One as a school boy and the other in the Indian Open pro-am."

Parry went cold over the next nine holes. But it could have been due to the howling morning wind at the TPC at Summerlin.

"Obviously, hitting off at 10 after 7, it was pretty brutal with the wind out there," said Parry, who parred Nos. 4-12. "It was like playing the British Open today."

Parry shook off the wind at the 606-yard 13th, where he tapped in from three feet for birdie. He also nailed an 18-footer at the 14th and a 30-footer at the 18th around a bogey at No. 17.

Parry hadn't been doing much well before making a rare fall appearance. He had missed four straight cuts while extending his top-10 drought to nearly 16 months.

"Normally I take this part of the year off," he said. "I'm staying over here and playing a couple of extra events."

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