Furyk opens 3-shot lead in Canada

MONTREAL (AP) ― Jim Furyk moved into position for his third Canadian Open victory, shooting a 5-under 65 on Saturday to take a three-stroke lead at Royal Montreal.

The 44-year-old Furyk, the 2006 winner at Hamilton and 2007 champion at Angus Glen, had a 15-under 195 total after opening with rounds of 67 and 63. He won the last of his 16 PGA Tour titles in 2010.

“(I’m) not really worrying about what position I’m in,” Furyk said about his Sunday approach.

“Not looking at the leaderboard too much. Going out there and trying to attack the golf course the same way I have the first three days.

“I noticed there aren’t many leaderboards on the course, that might be a good thing.”

Coming off a final-round 65 in a fourth-place finish last week in the British Open last Sunday, Furyk has had only one bogey ― on the fourth hole of the first round ― at Royal Montreal.

He leads the field in greens in regulation, hitting 45 of 54 greens, and his tied for third in fairways hit at 33 of 42.

South Africa’s Tim Clark was second after a 64 on the tree-lined Blue Course.

“The guys that are out there who have played well for three days are all capable,” Furyk said. “Timmy Clark’s got a lot of experience. Kyle’s won before.”

Clark had a birdie-eagle start.

“It’s always great to get off to a good start,” Clark said. “Saturdays are normally the toughest day to score on, so you dream of a start like that.”

He tied for fifth two weeks ago in the John Deere Classic, helping to turn around a middling season that included a problem with his left elbow.

“Right now I feel good and I am able to swing how I want to,” Clark said. “Three months ago I started to hit the ball good again, but I just wasn’t scoring. Finally, the last few tournaments, I’ve started to score.”

Kyle Stanley had a 68 to reach 10 under, and Jamie Lovemark was another stroke back after a 67.

Graham DeLaet, trying to become the first Canadian winner in the event in 60 years, was tied for fifth at 8 under after a 70. Tim Petrovic (72), tied for the second-round lead with Furyk, also was 8 under along with Joe Durant (67) and Scott Brown (69). 


Senior British Open

BRIDGEND, Wales (AP) ― Bernhard Langer stretched his lead to eight strokes Saturday in the Senior British Open, shooting a 3-under 68 at Royal Porthcawl to reach 14-under 199.

The 56-year-old German matched the Champions Tour record for the largest 54-hole lead in a 72-hole event set by Jack Nicklaus in the 1991 Senior PGA. At 14 under, Langer also tied the tournament 54-hole record set by Carl Mason at 14-under 196 in 2003 at Turnberry.

After opening with rounds of 65 and 66 to open a seven-stroke lead, Langer had four birdies and a bogey in the round. He settled for a birdie on the par-5 18th after missing an eagle chance from 10 feet. He dropped his only shot on the par-4 10th.

“I played very nicely, got off to a good start,” Langer said. “Then I maybe played a little safe for a couple of holes. ... I had a good touch, hit a couple of good trick shots toward the end, and drove the ball very well, hit some amazing straight drives and long drives. I mean the one on 18 I can’t believe how far I went, but that’s how it is right now. It’s very bouncy and firm.”

Langer won the 2010 tournament at Carnoustie and lost in a playoff last year at Royal Birkdale. He also led going into the final round at Turnberry in 2012, only to fade on the final day.

“It’s very exciting,” Langer said. “The only major European senior golf, and it’s a beautiful trophy. It’s a great title, and yeah, it would be very exciting to win a second one.”

Langer won the Senior Players Championship last month for his third senior major victory and has three Champions Tour wins this year to push his career total to 21.