Golf: Perry all class in searing Texas heat

FORT WORTH - Kenny Perry was hotter than the scorching Texas weather yesterday, firing a third round six-under 64 at the US$5.6 million ($7.96 million) Colonial to surge seven shots clear of US compatriots Billy Mayfair and Steve Stricker.

With temperatures hovering around 37.77C, Perry continued to set a blistering pace with a second consecutive bogey-free round at the Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, leaving the 2003 champion at 18-under and within sight of his second Colonial title in three years.

Perry began the day with a three-shot advantage and methodically pulled away from the wilting field with six birdies evenly split between the front and back nine.

Mayfair and Stricker carded solid four-under 66s but could not stay with Perry, who leads the way despite eye problems that have made it difficult for him to see long distances.

New Zealand's Craig Perks shot a third-round 72 to be two over for the tournament and 20 shots off the pace. 

Australia's Peter Lonard also produced a strong third round five-under 65 but will begin the final round eight strokes off the lead at 10-under 200.

World number four Phil Mickelson, who battled to make the cut, had his best round of the tournament with a two-under 68 but was well off the pace 16 strokes back of the leader.

No matter who walks off with the Colonial title, there will be a new world number one.

Neither Tiger Woods or Vijay Singh is playing this week but it will not prevent another reshuffling at the top of world rankings with the Fijian reclaiming number one.

Under the world rankings system which is based on previous results, Woods will lose more points than Singh and so slip narrowly behind him.

The pair have tussled for the top spot all season, each having two spells as the game's leading player.

Woods is sitting out the Colonial licking his wounds after watching his record run of 142 consecutive cuts-made come to an end last week at the Byron Nelson championship.

Singh is also taking a break in Fiji after winning two of the last four PGA Tour events and finishing in a tie for third last week.

- REUTERS