After a Long Day, Bernhard Langer Remains the Leader by Two Strokes

Bernhard Langer had to contend with a rain-delayed start, slow play, the threat of darkness and his own erratic, cross-handed putting stroke.

But the West German, who has been so close so often, got the job done Saturday in the third round of the $600,000 Honda golf tournament.

When the long day’s play finally ended, only moments before total darkness descended, Langer was in the same position he’d enjoyed at the tournament’s halfway point: He was two shots in front of the pack.

Langer’s 70 put him through three rounds at 207, nine under par for three trips over the Tournament Players Club course at Eagle Trace.

“I felt like it was a very long day,” said Langer, who played in the last group on the course.

Bruce Lietzke also had a 70 and was tied for second at 209 with Mark Calcavecchia, who moved up with a 68.

Payne Stewart was next at 211 after a 68, with Mark McCumber another stroke back at 212 after a 70.