June31 Buickday3
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Tom Pernice Jr. was having a mediocre round until surprising himself with a spectacular stretch that pushed his name to the top of the leaderboard.
Pernice had an eagle and four birdies during a five-hole run and his 66 Saturday gave him the third-round lead at the topsy-turvy Buick Open.
“The way I was going along, I never dreamed I would get to 6 under,” he said. “Being patient pays off sometimes.”
Jesper Parnevik (64), Scott Verplank (69) and Brian Bateman (69) were a shot back with just the final round to play later today (Sunday).
Jim Furyk battled to a 71 and is two shots off the lead. He is tied with Kenny Perry and Woody AUstin.
Parnevik made the big move Saturday, going from a tie for 46th into a tie for second with an 8 under. He had the best round — by two strokes — as Warwick Hills became tougher with firm greens.
The Swede is playing in his first Buick Open, instead of returning to Europe as he usually does after the U.S. Open.
“I decided to stay this year, which I’m very happy about,” he said.
Parnevik, who usually doesn’t return to the United States until the PGA Championship, will play at Oakland Hills in suburban Detroit on Monday in a British Open qualifier.
Pernice and Parnevik will be paired together, hoping to continue a trend.
The Buick Open winner has emerged from the final group since 1999 and the third-round leader has held on in each of the last six.
Pernice took advantage of the last leader who couldn’t hold onto the lead on a Sunday at Warwick Hills.
Furyk missed a 4-footer at 18 to bogey, finishing at 1 under for the day. His streak of rounds in the 60s at the Buick Open ended at eight, equaling Woods’ tournament record, but he extended his run of sub-par rounds to 36 at Warwick Hills.
“It was a terrible round, 1 under isn’t getting the job done here,” Furyk said. “I’m very fortunate to only be two back.”
John Daly continued his rehabilitation from an injury-ravaged season with a 69 and is in 24th.
Darren Clarke shot a one under par third round and is tied 49th at five under for the tournament.
