Daly’s 63 Shrinks Estes’ Lead to One

John Daly is back--again.

The man who has won two major titles yet struggled so publicly on and off the golf course the last few years shot an eight-under-par 63 Saturday that put him a stroke off Bob Estes’ lead after three rounds in the St. Jude Classic at Memphis, Tenn.

Daly, winless since the 1995 British Open, started the round seven strokes off the pace set by Estes through 36 holes. But Daly carded eight birdies in his best round since a 63 in the 1991 Las Vegas Invitational.

He has strung together three rounds in the 60s for his best score through 54 holes that he can remember, better than in 1991, when he won the PGA Championship.

“You go on a slump as long as I have and all the ups and downs that it has taken, to be able to go out and hopefully be able to have a chance to win, that’s awesome,” Daly said.

But the man with four tour victories to go with his reputation as the PGA Tour’s longest hitter said having a chance isn’t enough.

“I won’t be satisfied until I win,” he said.

Estes, who tied the course record with a 61 Thursday, teed off with a four-stoke lead. That lead dwindled as he managed two birdies against 16 pars for a 17-under total of 196.

Scott McCarron had a share of the lead through 10 holes and finished with a 66 to tie Daly for second.

Larry Ziegler, finding his putting stroke, shot a five-under 67 to take the second-round lead in the NFL Golf Classic at Clifton, N.J.

Ziegler is at eight-under 136, one ahead of first-round leader Jim Holtgrieve. Roy Vucinich, a Monday qualifier, had a 67 and is two strokes behind the leader.

A rejuvenated Laura Davies shot a three-under 69 to move five shots ahead of Brandie Burton and Maria Hjorth at the Rochester (N.Y.) International.

“I felt good out there,” said Davies, a 19-time winner on the LPGA Tour who’s coming off the worst slump of her 14-year career. “I can’t say I’m confident but I’m enjoying it.”

Helped by accurate tee shots and excellent putting, Davies had her third sub-70 round to move to 11-under 205. Burton, who hasn’t won since 1998, shot a 73. Hjorth had a 69.