Singh Has Problems but Leads

Vijay Singh is making it look easy by winning tournament after tournament, and millions upon millions of dollars, while chasing Tiger Woods’ single-season money record.

A slow-lifting fog and slow-moving players combined to make it tough for Singh on Saturday, yet his ability to turn bad lies into good shots helped him to an even-par 72 that kept him in the 84 Lumber Classic lead at Farmington, Pa.

Even when it doesn’t come so easily, Singh is difficult to knock out of the lead.

Repeatedly following poor shots with exceptional ones on a day when some of his best play came merely to save par, Singh finished at 12-under 204 to lead Chris DiMarco (71) by two shots and Jonathan Byrd (67) and Matt Gogel (68) by three entering today’s final round.

Singh can break Woods’ single-season money record of $9.1 million set in 2000 by winning the $756,000 first prize, or, if he plays in two late-season, no-cut tournaments that offer guaranteed money, by finishing second.

*

Leta Lindley birdied seven holes to shoot a six-under 65 and take a one-shot lead over Juli Inkster after three rounds of the LPGA Longs Drugs Challenge at Auburn, Calif.

Lindley, a 32-year-old pro looking for her first tour victory, birdied five holes on the back nine to finish the third round at 14-under 199. Inkster shot 68.

First-round leader Christina Kim also shot a 68 and was two strokes off the lead at 201 heading into the final round at the Ridge Golf Club, 30 miles east of Sacramento.

*

Craig Stadler, trying to win his third consecutive Champions Tour event, shot a four-under 68 that left him with a four-stroke lead after two rounds of the SAS Championship at Cary, N.C. He made birdies on five of his final 12 holes, leaving him at nine-under 133.

Tom Jenkins shot a seven-under 65 and was alone in second at 137. Stewart Ginn (70), John Harris (70) and D.A. Weibring (72) were tied for third at 139.