Briggs catches Sutherland

The talk around the Buy.com Utah Classic before the third round was whether David Sutherland would run away with the $76,500 winner's paycheck.

After opening 63-64 to earn a six-stroke lead and tie both Buy.com Tour records for low opening 36-holes and largest lead, it seemed a distinct possibility.

But that is why they play 72 holes.

While Sutherland struggled with a 73, Danny Briggs fired a 67 to tie for the lead at 16-under-par 200 in the $425,000 event. Jason Buha (68), Mike Heinen (70) and Rod Pampling (66) are five strokes off the pace, and Jay Delsing and Bob Heintz are six back.

Sutherland is a PGA Tour member who has not played this year because of shoulder surgery in March. He is seeking his first win on either the PGA Tour or Buy.com Tour.

"I just didn't play very well," said Sutherland, who had an eagle, two birdies and five bogeys. "It's more of the way I expected to play the whole week. Win or lose, I would like to play better tomorrow."

Sutherland was eligible to play in the Air Canada Championship, but chose instead to play at Willow Creek Country Club. Having already been granted a medical exemption for the 2002 PGA Tour, he is allowed to play five Buy.com Tour events this season without affecting his status.

"It's not a knock," he said. "But if I would have played this way on Tour, I would have got smoked."

Having not competed in Tournament play this season caught up with the Sacramento, Calif., resident. His concentration was not as sharp, causing erratic play. He noted that every time a good shot was needed, he couldn't pull it off.

"I'm mentally tired," he said, though not making excuses. "I haven't had to concentrate like this in a while. When I should have been concentrating on a putt, I was looking at the mountains."

Early in his rehabilitation period, all he could do was chip and putt, and it showed in his opening two rounds. However, it deserted him Saturday.

"I really didn't putt very well. That should be the part of my game that should be the least rusty," he said.

Briggs never doubted he had a chance to win, and demonstrated his belief by making birdies on two of the first three holes. He took the outright led after a birdie on the 15th hole then fell into a tie after making a bogey No. 18.

Pampling and Delsing, who won the Buy.com Fort Smith Classic last month, shot 66s, the lowest score of the day.

"I haven't been in this position in a long time," said Briggs, who has finished second three times in his six stints on the Buy.com Tour. "I held up really well today and am looking forward to the challenge tomorrow. It looks like we are going to have some fun."

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