Joey Snyder holds narrow advantage

Much of the field is playing for their PGA Tour life at the Southern Farm Bureau Classic. But it is a rookie who has the lead.

Joey Snyder fired a 7-under-par 65 and has a one-shot advantage after Saturday's third round of the $3 million event.

Snyder is at 16-under 200 and has a lead for the first time in his career. His best finish on tour this season is a tie for sixth at The International and his previous best 54-hole standing was seventh at the John Deere Classic.

Heath Slocum and Loren Roberts are tied for second. Slocum signed for a 64 while Roberts, who is looking to join Craig Stadler as the only players to win on the Champions and PGA Tours in the same season, carded a 66.

Snyder started the day at 9-under and surged while all six second-round co-leaders faltered. At one point, 11 of the 75 players who made the cut were tied for the lead at 10-under, but only Snyder emerged.

Snyder fired six birdies and an eagle with just one hiccup, a bogey at No. 15 which he followed with birdies at Nos. 16 and 18.

"I am certainly glad to be playing well now, well enough to at least be in contention," Snyder said. "Birdies at the end of the day really help boost your confidence and roll into (Sunday)."

Slocum put himself into contention with a bogey-free round that included an eagle and six birdies. He closed his round with four birdies in a row.

"I'm driving it pretty well and I'm making some putts," Slocum said. "I don't remember the last time I shot 64 so it was a good round. I've been playing well of late."

Roberts, who entered the tournament 126th on the money list, had seven birdies and just one bogey. He also finished strong, birdying his final two holes.

"I played really solid other than the 14th hole where I hit it in the bunker and just couldn't get up and down," Roberts said. "Other than that, I hit a lot of greens, hit it real solid and made some putts. That is the key."

Sweden's Carl Pettersson (65), Kevin Stadler (66) and Tag Ridings (68) are tied for fourth at 14-under. Stadler is 168th on the money list while Ridings is 101st.

Australian Paul Gow (67) and Tom Byrum are both at 12-under and desperately need strong finishes Sunday. Gow is 175th on the money list and Byrum 176th.

This is the last tournament for players to solidify their positions on the money list and earn a full exemption for the 2006 season - not to mention avoid the pressure-cooker known as Q-School.

Postponed a month due to Hurricane Katrina, the Southern Farm will be the difference between a two-month vacation and a dreaded return to Q-School for a number of PGA Tour members.

Originally scheduled for October 6-9, this event was delayed by tour officials to give the storm-battered region time to recover from the hurricane. All net proceeds from the event will be donated to hurricane relief efforts in Mississippi.

Defending champion Fred Funk is not in the field but won't be sitting idly this week. The winner of the Players Championship, Funk is 10th on the money list and playing in the Tour Championship in Atlanta.

First prize is $540,000. With every dollar crucial, even a good finish could be enough for some players to avoid Q-School. Second place is worth $324,000 and third $204,000.

The top 125 on the money list earn tour cards for 2006. Players ranked from 126-150 earn provisional status for next season. The top 40 earn a trip to the Masters.

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