Furyk Fires a 63 to Force Three-Way Tie

Jim Furyk, who seems to thrive on the desert courses used in the Las Vegas Invitational, shot a nine-under 63 Friday to go 22 under and grab a share of the third-round lead.

A two-time winner and defending champion of the event, Furyk moved into a tie with Harrison Frazar and Bob May after three rounds of the five-day tournament.

Scores are traditionally low in the event, which has a pro-am format, and conditions have been ideal the first three days this year.

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At the World Match Play championship in Virginia Water, England, defending champion Mark O’Meara, despite suffering from back spasms and a stiff neck, shot a nine-under-par 63 on the first 18 holes and then beat Australia’s Craig Parry on the third playoff hole, his 39th hole of the day.

In another quarterfinal match, Nick Price ousted Retief Goosen, 6 and 5, and will face O’Meara in today’s semifinals. Also, Padraig Harrington beat three-time champion Ernie Els on the second playoff hole (38th) and plays Colin Montgomerie, who won, 2 and 1, over Notah Begay III.

Meanwhile, Spanish teenager Sergio Garcia faces possible disciplinary action for his outburst during his first-round loss to South African Retief Goosen.

After an errant tee shot, Garcia threw his shoe at an advertising billboard then kicked it away when it was returned, almost striking the match referee.

Garcia, who apologized later, will only be fined if it is ruled a minor offense, and he could be suspended if the incident is deemed serious.

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Maria Hjorth, celebrating her 26th birthday, had a hole-in-one, two eagles and six birdies and shot a tournament-record 64 to take a three-stroke lead at the LPGA Tournament of Champions at Mobile, Ala.

Karrie Webb, the first-round leader, shot a 74 and fell back into a tie for third with Laurie Davies.

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Australian David Graham had eight birdies and an eagle in a nine-under 63 and held a three-stroke lead after the first round of the Raley’s Gold Rush Classic senior tournament at El Dorado Hills near Sacramento. Allen Doyle and J.C. Snead are tied for second.