San Martin, California -
John Mallinger remained in position for his first PGA Tour victory, shooting a 1-under 70 on Saturday in the Frys.com Open to take a two-stroke lead into the final round.
The 33-year-old Mallinger had a 15-under 198 total at CordeValle after opening with a 66 and matching the course record with a 62 on Friday.
“I hit every fairway yesterday, and then today I just got off to a weird start,” Mallinger said. “But I hung around there and made some birdies on the back nine that got me back into position. Still got lead, still got a good spot, and look forward to tomorrow.”
He has finished second twice in his seven-year career on the tour, losing in a playoff to Bo Van Pelt in Milwaukee in 2009.
“I'm going to still stay aggressive and try to make as many birdies as possible,” Mallinger said. “It's going to be a birdie day. I mean, it's supposed to be nice tomorrow.”
Sweden's Jonas Blixt was second after a 66. He birdied five of the last eight holes.
“The front nine is a little harder,” said Blixt, coming off a third-place finish last week in Las Vegas. “The back nine you can make a couple birdies. Hopefully, I can finish like I did today.
He had a simple game plan for Sunday.
“Make birdies,” Blixt said.
Charles Howell III and Jason Kokrak were 12 under. Howell had a 66, and Kokrak shot 67.
“It'll be a shootout tomorrow,” Howell said. “The greens are so soft and there will be a lot of birdies, but at least I have a chance.”
He won the last of two tour titles in 2007.
Vijay Singh and Brazil's Alexandre Rocha were 11 under. They shot 66.
The 49-year-old Singh won the last of his 34 PGA Tour titles in 2008. He birdied Nos. 15 and 16, eagled the short par-4 17th and closed with a par.
“I found something in my putting that's working really, really good, so hopefully tomorrow I can get some going,” Singh said. “I've changed my grip a little bit and it's flowing really freely. So that's a big plus.” - Sapa-AP