Golf: Verplank holding slender lead

American Scott Verplank will take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Canadian Open in Montreal after shooting a four-under 66 yesterday to total 199.

Australian Paul Gow and American Dicky Pride are Verplank's closest challengers, with another American, Bob Estes, a further stroke back.

Verplank set the 54-hole Royal Montreal Golf Club record at 11-under in the $US3.8 million ($8.90 million) event.

New Zealanders Craig Perks and lefthanded amateur Gareth Paddison are in good shape at 208 and 209 respectively. Steven Alker is on 212.

Phil Tataurangi, Frank Nobilo and Paul Devenport missed the cut.

Spanish star Sergio Garcia shot into contention with a five-under 65 to sit at 202, and yesterday brushed off criticism of the amount of fidgeting he does while getting set to hit the ball.

"I like to hit the ball when I'm ready. I don't care how many waggles I make and how many times I re-grip the club," Garcia said.

He has come under increasing scrutiny in recent months over his habit of waggling and re-gripping the golf club a dozen times or more at address.

Defending champion Tiger Woods is at 207 after rounds of 65, 73 and 69.

The big mover was John Daly, who moved up 38 places to joint 10th on the leaderboard by shooting a six-under 64 for 204.

* New Zealand's Stephen Scahill, battling to retain his European Tour card, was strongly placed for a win going into this morning's final round of the European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre, Switzerland.

Scahill shot a three-under 68 yesterday to be two strokes behind the player who had led the tournament from day one, Argentine Ricardo Gonzalez.

Helped by an eagle on the 15th hole, Gonzalez reached 13-under 200, also shooting a 68.

Scahill's first two rounds were 67s, and he had a one-stroke advantage over England's Greg Owen and Soren Hansen of Denmark.

Fellow New Zealander Greg Turner is with five other golfers on 209, including Australian Peter Fowler, after rounds of 67, 71 and 71.

- AGENCIES