STEADY RORY

Sabbatini plays the patient game to seize one-stroke lead at Texas Open

South Africa’s Rory Sabbatini fired a seven-under-par 63 to capture the third-round lead in the US$4.5 million Valero Texas Open.

Sabbatini’s 14-under total of 196 put him one stroke in front of former Masters champion Zach Johnson, who posted sizzling 62 for 197. Tim Herron (67), Chris Stroud (69) and New Zealand’s Tim Wilkinson (63) shared third on 199.

“I’m just going to approach it the way I did the last couple of days,” said Sabbatini, whose last win was at the 2007 Colonial. “I’ve got a new driver in the bag and a new three-wood in the bag and they’re performing better and better each day.”

His round was highlighted by an eagle on the 11th, where he chipped in from about 10 yards in front of the green with a pitching wedge.

He nabbed three birdies in a row from the 13th, a par-three where he landed a sand wedge about four feet past and made the putt.

At 14 his poor drive bounced back into the fairway and he was on the green in two, two-putting for birdie from about 30ft.

At 15, he hit a nine-iron 18 feet past the hole and made it, and he capped his round with a birdie at the last, where he hit driver off the tee and knocked a pitching wedge to about l2ft to become the sole leader.

“It’s always fun to be in the lead, but you know, that’s the beauty of golf. Every time you tee it up on Thursday you’re tied for the lead,” Sabbatini said. “It has been a good week and I’m enjoying it.”

Sabbatini’s best Tens Open finish was a tie for 33rd, but said he was happy to make return trip to LaCantera while he was playing well.

“Obviously this course is not one that sets up very well when you’re spraying it,” he said. “It punishes you pretty quickly and pretty harshly.

The four-time PGA Tour winner admitted he had been fighting through a frustrating season. “It has just been matter of trying to be patient,” he said. “I’m not the most patient person with it, and it has been kind of a tough experience for me, but maybe - something to learn from and grow on.”

AFP, San Antonio, Texas