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Turnesa takes sole lead at Las Vegas Open

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-10-19 10:10

LOS ANGELES - PGA Tour rookie Marc Turnesa will take a one-stroke lead into the final round of the Las Vegas Open after producing a three-under-par 69 on Saturday.

Turnesa, who comes from a noted golf family with his late grandfather Michael having won six PGA tour events, was 21 under for the tournament, one ahead of Chris DiMarco, Michael Allen and Ken Duke.

DiMarco produced Saturday's best round with his nine-under 63 including a spectacular eagle on the par-five 16th where he chipped in from 78 yards.

Matt Kuchar, who has not won on the tour since 2002, made a hash of his tee-shot on the 18th by hooking out of bounds and he double-bogeyed the hole to complete a round of 71, two behind the leader.

Turnesa, who showed his promise when he lost in a playoff at the Viking Classic last month, lacked the sparkle that he produced in the first two rounds but was still delighted to head the field.

"It was a good day, 69 not bad and it was good enough to hold the lead. I've got to try and do the same thing on Sunday, take it one shot at a time. I am going to have to make a lot of birdies," he said.

Turnesa, whose grandfather was one of seven brothers, six of whom were professionals, said he hoped to draw on the experience of being in the lead at the Viking Classic.

"I have never been in that position before and I have to be more comfortable this time around. I'll draw from that," he said.

Californian Allen, who at 49 years of age has still to win on the PGA Tour, knows a victory would give him an exemption from a 14th trip to tour qualifying school.

"I got off to a good start. Tomorrow I've just got go out and try and get another good start -- it is going to be a shootout, a lot of fun," he said.

Three players finished two shots off the lead, Kuchar, former Masters winner Zach Johnson and Chris Stroud.