Maruyama's lead is cut to 3 shots

Shigeki Maruyama played just well enough Saturday to retain the lead at the Chrysler Classic of Greensboro.

Maruyama, who held a five-stroke lead entering the third round, saw his advantage shrink to a stroke before rallying with an eagle at No. 13 and finishing with a 2-under-par 70. He sits at 17-under 199, three strokes ahead of Brad Faxon heading into Sunday's final round at Forest Oaks Country Club.

Faxon shot a 68 and moved to 14-under 202.

The 5-foot-7 Maruyama, nicknamed the ``Smilin' Assassin,'' saw Faxon move within a stroke. He then took advantage of an errant tee shot by Faxon at the 13th, rolling in an 11-foot eagle putt and extending his lead to three strokes.

Maruyama saved par at No. 18 by converting a 30-foot putt, but saw his streak of sub-70 rounds stopped at 12.

He was satisfied to maintain his three-shot advantage in tricky winds and dropping temperatures.

``I didn't play as good as the last two days today, but it was really hard with the wind to aim at the pin today,'' Maruyama said through an interpreter. ``I'm still having good putting ... and, hopefully, I will have another good day tomorrow.''

Peter Lonard shot a 67 to move into a three-way tie for third place with Matt Gogel (68) and K.J. Choi (68) at 11-under 205. Five players are at 10-under.

Maruyama, winless this season after victories on the PGA Tour in 2001 and 2002, came into the round at 15-under 129. He had a 65 in Thursday's opening round, and had nine birdies Friday to finish with a 64.

He extended his lead to six strokes Saturday with a birdie at No. 2 before Faxon gradually closed the gap.

Faxon had birdies on Nos. 4 and 5. Maruyama followed with a double bogey at No. 7 when his second shot on the par-4, 455-yard hole flew over the green. He needed two chip shots to get onto the green and then two-putted.

Faxon birdied Nos. 9 and 11 to move to 14-under, within one stroke of Maruyama.

But Faxon ran into trouble at No. 13 when his tee shot landed inches away from the base of a tree. He took a drop and the one-stroke penalty, but managed to save par.

Maruyama, meanwhile, hit a great second shot to the green, then holed the 11-foot putt for a three-stroke lead.

``That was the perfect hole,'' Maruyama said. ``A perfect shot from the tee box, a perfect 3-iron -- the second shot -- and perfect putt. That hole saved my game today.''

Faxon, was also pleased after the hole, even after watching Maruyama extend his lead.

``When I saw the ball (by the tree), I said I have to find a way to make par there,'' he said. ``I'm sure we were both happy ... even though it was a two-shot swing.''

The leaders stayed on par for the final five holes.

At No. 18, Maruyama fought to make par after his second shot hit the front of the green and bounced down the short hill.

His chip shot landed near the edge of the green, giving Faxon a chance to cut the deficit. But Faxon's birdie putt rolled just right of the cup, and Maruyama closed with the 30-footer.

He pumped his right fist after the shot, took his hat off and shot a big smile toward the crowd.

``It brought a lot of confidence for tomorrow's game,'' Maruyama said of the final par. ``It's a big difference for a two-shot lead and a three-shot lead for the last day.''

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