Lonard Takes Charge With a Five-Under 66

Peter Lonard regained the lead in the MCI Heritage at Hilton Head Island, S.C., shooting a five-under-par 66 on Saturday to take a one-stroke lead over Darren Clarke.

The Australian, who is seeking his first PGA Tour victory, is at 11-under 202. Clarke shot a 73 to drop to second and Rod Pampling (68) was third at six under.

Lonard, 37, takes a lead into the final round for the first time in four tour seasons. He doesn’t expect the new position to change his routine.

“In theory, it shouldn’t be any different,” Lonard said. “I’ll relax, have a few beers and talk rubbish with my mates. I’ll do the same things I’ve always done.”

Lonard shot a 62 in the first round, his best score ever. Then Friday, he ballooned to a 74 to fall six shots behind Clarke.

Alex Cejka was disqualified after his round for using a non-conforming golf ball. Cejka was at 11 over after shooting a 79.

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Wendy Ward kept her cool and her touch around the greens for a wire-to-wire win in the Takefuji Classic at Las Vegas, her first victory in nearly four years.

Ward closed with a five-under 67 to hold off Lorena Ochoa by two shots. Ward finished the 54-hole event at 16-under 200.

Ochoa, who moved from a tie for 96th into a tie for fourth with a 63 on Friday, finished with a 65.

Holding a two-shot lead over Ochoa, who had finished her round, Ward smiled broadly after she hit her wedge shot over the water and within 12 feet of the pin on the final hole.

Still smiling, she tipped her cap to the applauding fans as she walked to the green, where she two-putted for par. She had a first-round 65 to tie Karrie Webb for the lead, and a second-round 68 to move in front.