NEWPORT, Wales (AP) Peter Uihlein seized a three-shot lead at the Wales Open on Saturday by shooting a 4-under 67 while the overnight leaders struggled in the third round.
The American had five birdies and an eagle at the par-5 ninth in an inconsistent round that also included three bogeys, giving him a 7-under total of 206. French duo Thomas Levet (67) and Gregory Bourdry (70) were tied for second.
Overnight leader Liam Bond of Wales, who lives just 10 miles from Celtic Manor, fell out of contention with a 78 which included five bogies and double-bogey. Norway's Espen Kofstad, who was second going into the round, shot a 76 to sit in a tie for 23rd.
Uihlein, who won the Madeira Islands Open this year, was on level par for the round after eight holes with two birdies and two bogeys, but then sent a long iron to within nine feet for an eagle that put him atop the leaderboard, a spot he never relinquished.
He holed a 50-footer for a birdie at the 10th picked up another stroke at the 14th, saved par from 25 feet at the 16th and got up and down from the sand for a closing birdie.