Azinger Taking Aim at First Win Since ’93

Winless for so long, Paul Azinger is making sure he does not celebrate too early.

Azinger, bidding for his first victory since the 1993 PGA Championship, shot a two-under-par 68 Saturday and held a five-stroke lead over Jesper Parnevik and Stuart Appleby after three rounds of the $2.9-million Sony Open in Honolulu.

Azinger was diagnosed with lymphoma in December 1993 and missed most of the next season.

“The fact that I’m five ahead is an enviable spot, but it doesn’t mean it is insurmountable,” Azinger said. “I know what it takes. I’ve done it a bunch of times. There’s a bunch of young lions behind me and they are not just going to let me win.”

Azinger started his round slowly with two bogeys in the first four holes. But then he ran off birdies on the par-three eighth and 11th, as well as the 510-yard 10th, to stay ahead of the field. At the 54-hole mark, he was at 14-under 196.

Parnevik, who started the day seven strokes behind Azinger, closed with birdies on the last two holes for a 66. He’s at 201 with Appleby, who shot a 68.

Tom Lehman made the day’s biggest jump, shooting a five-under 65 to climb into a third-place tie with Scott Dunlap at 202.

Gary Nicklaus, son of Jack Nicklaus, shot a 72 to reach the 54-hole mark at 211.

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Karrie Webb wasn’t ready to claim The Office Depot title, even though she has a seven-stroke lead with 18 holes to play at the Ibis Country Club in West Palm Beach, Fla.

“I found out [Friday] how easy it is to make nine on a hole,” said Webb, who did just that on the par-five fourth hole. “I played pretty well [Saturday] and I’ll try to do the same [today.]”

Webb, the defending champion in the LPGA tour event, shot a two-under 70 to finish three rounds at six-under 210. Hall of Famer Nancy Lopez (74) and Cindy McCurdy (72) were at 217.