Black Leads Big Names at Las Vegas

Davis Love III and Fred Couples are just behind. Tiger Woods lurks a few more shots out.

The most unlikely name of a star-studded leaderboard at the Las Vegas Invitational, Ronnie Black, is alone at the top entering the final round of the $1.65-million tournament.

The 38-year-old Black, who came into the tournament battling just to retain his PGA Tour card, finds himself with a one-shot lead over Love after shooting a six-under 66 Saturday to get to 23-under after four rounds of the 90-hole event.

Another shot behind were Couples and Dave Stockton Jr., while Woods, playing with a painful strained groin, was four off the lead after shooting a 67.

“It’s going to be a shootout [today],” said Woods, who has virtually guaranteed himself exempt status on the tour next year.

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Caroline Pierce won for the first time in nine years on the LPGA Tour, outplaying Dottie Pepper and Michelle McGann in a head-to-head showdown in the final round of the JAL Big Apple Classic at New Rochelle, N.Y.

Pierce shot a 72 to finish the 54-hole event at two-under 211.