Darren Clarke's six-shot lead evaporated as Australian Peter Lonard seized control of The Heritage in the third round here Saturday. Clarke, who had built a commanding lead in the 4.5 million-dollar event with two straight 65s, stumbled with a two-over 73, and Lonard lost no time in taking advantage. The 37-year-old Australian posted a five-under 66 to claim the lead on 202. Clarke, who had just two bogeys in the first two rounds, had four on the front nine and six coming in, surrendering the lead to Lonard with a bogey at the par-five 15th.
Lonard had opened the tournament with a sparkling 62 on Thursday, then barely kept himself in contention with a second-round 74 that included seven bogeys.
On Saturday he posted six birdies and could have stretched his lead but for a bogey at the last, his only blemish of the day.
Fellow Australian Rod Pampling was lying third after a 68 for 207. Five-time champion Davis Love was in fourth, carding a 69 for 208.
Lonard has six international victories but has never won on the US PGA Tour. His best finish in the States is a third place showing at the 2002 Genuity Championship.
Masters champion Tiger Woods and the rest of the "Big Four" - Vijay Singh, Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els - are not entered.
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Leading third-round scores (USA unless noted):
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202 - Peter Lonard (AUS) 62-74-66
203 - Darren Clarke (NIR) 65-65-73
- 203 207 - Rod Pampling (AUS) 70-69-68
208 - Davis Love 69-70-69
209 - Loren Roberts 71-70-68,
Jose Maria Olazabal (ESP) 69-71-69,
Stephen Ames (CAN) 71-69-69
210 - Joey Snyder 74-67-69,
Bart Bryant 72-68-70,
Jimmy Walker 68-71-71,
Jim Furyk 71-68-71
211 - Billy Andrade 72-69-70,
Matt Kuchar 72-68-71,
Thomas Levet (FRA) 64-74-73
212 - Brandt Jobe 69-73-70,
Michael Allen 71-70-71,
Nick Price (ZIM) 69-71-72,
Nick O'Hern (AUS) 68-71-73
213 - Scott Verplank 73-70-70,
Pat Perez 72-70-71
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