Perry moves into tie for lead

Kenny Perry finished with a flourish to move into a three-way tie for the lead through three rounds at the John Deere Classic on Saturday at Silvis, Ill.

Perry, seeking his third victory in five starts, birdied the 18th hole to finish at four-under-par 67 for the day and 15-under 198 for the tournament.

That put him into a tie with Eric Axley (67) and Brad Adamonis (66), who at 35 is the PGA Tour’s oldest rookie.

Jay Williamson (62) and second-round leader Will MacKenzie (70) were one stroke back.

Perry was at 15 under after making a nine-foot birdie putt on the par-four 14th before hitting trouble on the 15th, hitting rough off the tee and two-putting from nine feet for a bogey.

But he made up for it on the 18th, when his approach nearly hit the pin before settling just under six feet to its left.

Five strokes off the lead when the day began, Williamson jumped into contention for his first PGA Tour win with a strong start and a 29 on the back nine.

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Graeme McDowell and Simon Khan shared the Scottish Open lead and Phil Mickelson was six shots back after the third round of the British Open tuneup at Luss.

McDowell shot a five-under 66 and Khan a 68 to take a one-stroke lead at 10-under 203.

Mickelson had five birdies and five bogeys for an even-par 71.

Four players were at 204, including Ross Fisher (68), Miguel Angel Jimenez (68), Jeev Milka Singh (69) and Richard Green (70).

Ernie Els shot 70 for 208 and a share of 19th, while Mickelson, who played with Els, was at 209 for a share of 24th.

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Paula Creamer shot a one-under 70, 10 more shots than she needed for her first round, and held a four-stroke lead after three rounds of the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic at Sylvania, Ohio.

Creamer was at 18-under 195 through 54 holes. Eun-Hee Ji was in second place, as she has been after all three rounds. She shot a 68 to cut two strokes off Creamer’s lead.

Rachel Hetherington had a 67 and was alone in third at 202. Karrie Webb made the biggest move of the day, shooting a 62 to climb into a tie for fourth with Shanshan Feng, who shot a 64. They were at 203.