GOLF ROUNDUP : Price Going for Two With One-Shot Lead

Nick Price emerged from a tightly bunched pack to take a one-stroke lead at the Texas Open on Saturday at San Antonio.

“Ever since I won the PGA, my goal for the year has been to win another tournament,” Price said after his three-under-par 68 in the third round gave him a 197 total and a one-stroke lead over Steve Elkington and Roger Maltbie.

“Winning one tournament is great, particularly if it’s a major. But winning two really solidifies the season, really shows where your game is.

“It would mean a very great deal to me to win again tomorrow.”

Should he, Price will earn $162,000.

But, according to Elkington, there are at least 17 others who have a chance at first prize at the Oak Hills Country Club.

“There are so many so close, somebody is going to shoot a good score, say four under,” said Elkington, an Australian who had a 65 for a 198.

“But you can shoot nine under on this golf course. It’s already been done this week. So you’d have to say that anyone within five shots has a chance.”

Maltbie, the 41-year-old veteran who led through two rounds, also was at 198 after birdies on three of the last four holes salvaged a 70.

“That was a shot in the arm,” Maltbie said. “It got me back in the golf tournament. I’d like to have had a better score, but from where I was at one time, 70 looks pretty good.”

Maltbie and Elkington were among the half dozen who led or shared the lead before Price’s 32 on the back nine moved him in front. The others were Jeff Maggert, Donnie Hammond, Brad Fabel and Neal Lancaster.

Maggert, Hammond and Fabel dropped into a tie at 199 with first-round leader Corey Pavin. Each shot 67.

Don Pooley, who scored three eagles in a round of 65, moved into a tie at 200 with Lancaster, who finished with a 70.

Also within reach--according to Elkington’s calculations--were Larry Rinker, Marco Dawson and Mark Brooks, tied at 201, and a quartet at 202: David Frost, David Edwards, Greg Lesher and Lee Janzen.

Mark McNulty of Zimbabwe shot his second 66 of the tournament and opened a two-stroke leadafter three rounds of the Madrid Open.

After 54 holes, he had a total of 203, 13 under par, over the par-72, 6,982-yard Puerta de Hierro golf course.

Jose Maria Canizares of Spain, after a 68, and David Feherty of Northern Ireland, who shot a 69, were tied for second at 205.