Rookie Richard Johnson Earns NIKE Florida Classic Lead

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Richard Johnson fired a 3-under-par 68 Saturday to take a one-shot lead heading into the final round of the $225,000 inaugural Nike Florida Classic at Gainesville Country Club.

Johnson, who is a Nike Tour rookie, has a 12-under-par total of 201, one stroke better than Joel Edwards and Greg Lesher.

“I drove really well and putted the ball great, but I was terrible with my irons," said Johnson. “The greens were great. They had a very nice speed to them.”

Lesher, who led after two rounds of the Nike Lakeland Classic two weeks ago and eventually tied for 12th, shot a 6-under-par 65 Saturday.

“My game has gotten better each day,” said the Louisiana State University graduate. “At the beginning of the week I felt a little uncomfortable with my game.”

Edwards, the second-round leader, fired a 1-under-par 70 and finished with a 202 total.

Ashley Chinner, who won the 1996 Canadian PGA Championship, shot a 4-under-par 67 Saturday and is alone in fourth place at 10-under-par 203.

“It is a little bit of a surprise to be in the hunt going into tomorrow,” said Chinner. “I took a month and a half off and this is my first tournament.”

Bobby Wadkins, who has won over $2.7 million on the PGA Tour, and Mark Mielke share fifth place with a 9-under-par total of 204.

“This is the whole reason we are out here is to work on your game,” said Wadkins. “The best way to work on your game is when pressure is on.”

Tied for seventh place at 8-under-par 205 are Jim Johnson, Dicky Thompson and Joe Daley. Johnson and Thompson both fired 4-under-par 67s while Daley carded a 2-under-par 69.

A group of five players are tied for 10th place at 7-under-par -- Paul Claxton, Brad Elder, Matt Gogel, Pat Bates and Richard Zokol.

Claxton and Elder joined Lesher in shooting 65s, which was the day's low round.


Ryan Howison -- winner of the last Nike Tour event, the NIike Lakeland Classic -- stands at 5-under-par 208 and is tied for 21st place with seven other golfers. The winner of the 1999 Nike Florida Classic will earn $40,500 of the $225,000 purse.