Golf: Maruyama has 3-shot cushion

IRVING - Japan's Shigeki Maruyama holds a three-shot lead going into the final round of the Byron Nelson Classic in Texas today.

Maruyama followed his sizzling seven-under 63 on Saturday with a 68 yesterday to head American Cameron Beckman, with Ernie Els and Lee Janzen in a group of five players a further two shots back.

New Zealanders Craig Perks and Phil Tataurangi are well placed for a decent cheque. Perks is at 206, eight shots off the pace after rounds of 68, 68, 69, and Tataurangi is a further two strokes back. Compatriots Grant Waite and Frank Nobilo failed to make the cut.

* Britain's Barry Lane broke the newly designed Belfry course record with a spectacular seven-under-par 65 yesterday. On 206, he leads the Benson and Hedges International by two strokes at Sutton Coldfield.

New Zealand's Michael Campbell is handily placed four shots off the pace, sitting in fifth spot.

* Natalie Gulbis, a 19-year-old rookie on the LPGA Tour, carded a career-low six-under-par 66 yesterday to climb to the top of the leaderboard at the Electrolux USA Championship in Franklin, Tennessee. Americans Pat Hurst and Brandie Burton are one shot back at 206.

New Zealand's Marnie McGuire is well back on 217 after rounds of 71, 72 and 74.

- AGENCIES