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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, August 23, 2009

Bryant has good shot at second Champions' major


Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Brad Bryant

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SUNRIVER, Ore. — Brad Bryant came off the course yesterday at the Jeld-Wen Tradition with a huge grin.

He had just shot a 5-under 67 to take a two-stroke advantage over Mike Reid into the final round.

Bryant padded his lead to go to 15-under 201 at Crosswater Golf Club in central Oregon. He has stayed atop the leaderboard after shooting a career-best 10-under 62 in the opening round, matching a tournament record.

"I'd like to play tomorrow exactly like I played today. If I do that, I don't care if I win or not," he said. "If I play as well tomorrow as I did today and somebody beats me, they deserve it more than me."

Reid birdied the par-4 No. 18 to finish with a 66 and go to 13-under 203 in the fourth of five majors on the Champions Tour.

Bryant had back-to-back birdies on the 15th and 16th holes. He came close to another one on the par-3 No. 17, but his putt came to rest on the lip of the hole.

John Cook had a 68, putting him at 12-under 204 going into today's final. Larry Mize was at 10-under 206 after a third-round 70.

"Definitely could have been a little more tidy today," Cook said. "But I'm happy with that."

Bryant's best finish of the year was fourth at the Dick's Sporting Goods Open in June. He has four overall tour victories, his last coming at the Senior U.S. Open in 2007.

"That was one of the most solid rounds I've played all year," said Bryant. "Actually, today was more encouraging than when I shot 62."

PGA TOUR

WYNDHAM PLAY SUSPENDED

Sergio Garcia followed through on a fairway shot when he heard a noise that has become all too familiar this weekend at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, N.C.

The air horn sounded once again, signifying yet another weather delay at a Wyndham Championship — where most of the movement on "Moving Day" involved scurrying to the clubhouse to beat the waves of showers.

Garcia and Chris Riley were both 13 under par through 10 holes to share the clubhouse lead last night when play was stopped midway through the third round of the rain-plagued tournament.

Steve Marino, Fred Couples, Kevin Stadler and Justin Rose were 12 under and Brandt Snedeker and Bill Haas were 11 under through varying stages of their rounds when play was suspended due to darkness.

Tournament officials said the round is scheduled to resume this morning with a second cut and the final round to follow.

PGA EUROPEAN TOUR

SWEDE HEDBLOM IN LEAD

Sweden's Peter Hedblom shot a 6-under 64 yesterday to take a two-stroke lead after the third round of the of the PGA European Tour's KLM Open at Zandvoort, Netherlands.

Hedblom was at 14-under 196, with Ireland's Peter Lawrie at 198 after a 65. Defending champion Darren Clarke, bidding to become the first player to defend the title since 1978, is another shot back after a 67.

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