Kevin Sutherland birdied four of his last six holes and posted a 4-under-par 68 at Pebble Beach Golf Links to take a one-stroke lead over Paul Broadhurst of England heading to the final round of the Nature Valley First Tee Open at Pebble Beach.
The 52-year-old Sutherland, of Sacramento and Fresno State, holed out from off the green for a birdie while finishing on the ninth hole and posted a 36-hole score of 8-under 135.
‘This is always a special place to me,” said Sutherland, who is winless on the PGA Tour Champions and claimed his only PGA Tour victory in the 2002 WCC-Accenture Match Play Championship.
“Being a Northern California guy, Pebble is the mecca of golf for Northern California golfers. The whole Carmel/Monterey area is always a special place, so to win any tournament here is quite an accomplishment and will definitely feel great.”
Broadhurst, who led after 66 on the first round at Pebble Beach, shot 1-under 70 at Poppy Hills.
Greg Kraft recorded a 68 at Pebble Beach and was three shots back in a tie for third with Woody Austin, who had a 69 at Poppy Hills.
Bernard Langer of Germany shot 69 at Pebble Beach and was another stroke behind in a tie for fifth with Jerry Smith (67), Joe Durant (69), Stephen Ames (70) of Canada and Mike Goodes (69), who all played at Poppy Hills.
Fred Funk shot a 66 at Pebble Beach that was the low score of the day and was five shots behind in a tie for 10th with Scott Verplank (70, Pebble Beach), Gene Sauers (72, Poppy Hills), Scott Dunlap (72, Pebble Beach) and Jay Don Blake (72, Poppy Hills).
The entire final round will be played at Pebble Beach.
