Huston maintains two shot advantage

John Huston knew he missed a chance to take a big lead into the final round at the Southern Farm Bureau Classic.

Huston made three straight birdies on the back nine and shot a 4-under 68 Saturday to retain his second-round lead. Still, some sloppy play on the final few holes meant Huston led by two strokes heading into Sunday.

Looking for his first victory in three years, Huston was up by four strokes after birdies on Nos. 12, 13 and 14.

But he dropped a stroke on No. 17 and managed only a par on the par-5 18th after the other contenders posted red numbers.

"I was a little disappointed that I didn't stretch it out a little more, but I'm still in the lead. I'm in good position," he said. "I'm going to have to go out and shoot a low score tomorrow."

Huston was 16 under after 54 holes. Paul Stankowski (66), Hidemichi Tanaka (68) and rookie Chris Anderson (67) all cut into Huston's lead on the 18th hole and finished tied for second at 14-under 202.

Stankowski and Anderson both birdied the 18th to go 14 under.

"I'm really pleased with where I'm at," Stankowski said. "Obviously, I'd like to be closer, but beggars can't be choosers."

Tanaka, who began the day two strokes back in second, did them one better, chipping in for eagle from the fairway. After his ball rolled in, the crowd roared and Tanaka turned to the gallery at the Annandale Golf Club and raised his arm with a No. 1 sign.

Defending champion Luke Donald (67) also finished with a birdie and was alone in fifth three strokes back.

Huston did some quality work out of the sand on the front nine.

He got up and down on No. 2 and No. 5 -- the first to save par and the second for birdie to go 13 under.

He ended up in the sand again on No. 7, but the results weren't as good. He got too much air underneath his chip shot and left himself with a 15-footer for birdie.

After taking a whack at his bag with his wedge, Huston composed himself and sank the putt to go 14 under.

Huston took control on the back nine. He ripped off three straight birdies with some of his best shots of the tournament.

On the par-3 12th hole, he hit an 8-iron 4 feet from the pin.

He nearly holed his second shot on No. 13 from 112 yards out before tapping in.

He capped his birdie trifecta by sinking an 18-footer on the par-4 No. 14 to go to 17 under.

Anderson, who began the day three back of Huston, briefly grabbed a share of the lead. He birdied five of the first seven holes to get to 14 under, before his putter betrayed him on the par-3 No. 8.

He missed a 7-footer for par, then missed again coming back from about 5 feet for a double bogey.

But his strong finish puts him in contention for his first victory.

Anderson, who is 185th on the money list, said some advice from friend and PGA Tour veteran Scott McCarron has helped him.

"He said 'You have nothing to lose. Just go out there and try to make birdie every hole,'" Anderson said. "That's the approach I'm using -- being really aggressive and firing at every pin."

Tanaka is also looking for his first win in his second year on the Tour.

Stankowski, who has been battling a wrist injury the past year, last won in 1997.

Stankowski managed to stay close to Huston on Saturday, despite missing several short putts.

"Hopefully (Sunday) I can turn the putter around and right this ship," he said. "It's been a long time since I've won."

Huston returned to action last week after taking five weeks off to nurse nagging shoulder and elbow injuries.

The 42-year-old has six career wins and could become the 11th over-40 player to win on tour this year.

"I think it'll be important for me to come out and get off to a good start and go from there," Huston said. "I certainly expect some of the other guys to shoot very low."

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