Watney joins lead with Na in Vegas

Nick Watney shot a 7-under-par 64 on Saturday for a share of the third-round lead with Kevin Na in the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.

Watney, a two-time winner this year, birdied the final three holes and five of the last six at TPC Summerlin near Las Vegas to match Na at 17 under in the Fall Series opener. Na followed his second-round 63 with a 66.

“I’m trying to keep it really simple,” Watney said. “I’ve driven the ball pretty well and it’s just been fairly easy to hit quite a bit of greens. I think that’s what you need to do out here is give yourself as many chances as possible. I’ve been able to do that so far.

“This course is right out there in front of you. It’s fairly short for Tour standards, so it’s just about execution.”

Robert Garrigus (63) and Kris Blanks (66) were a stroke back, and Tommy Gainey (64), Paul Goydos (66) and Tim Herron (67) followed at 15 under.

The 36-hole cut came at 4-under 138, with 80 players advancing. Because more than 78 players made the cut, there was a secondary cut at 4-under 209 after the third round to the low 70 players and ties.

Fran Quinn was the only player remaining on the course when play was suspended due to darkness Friday. He came back Saturday morning and made a 14-foot birdie putt for a 67 to make the cut.

HUSTON CO-LEADER

John Huston shot a 6-under 66 to gain a share of the second-round lead with Nick Price and Kenny Perry in the Champions Tour’s SAS Championship in Cary, N.C.

Huston, who won an event in Endicott, N.Y., earlier this year, played the last 10 holes in 6 under in windy conditions for the best round of the day at Prestonwood Country Club.

“I was able to keep the ball in play and manage the wind,” Huston said. “It was kind of hard, it was hard to get it close. It was definitely a lot harder today. The wind seemed to keep changing directions.”

Price and Perry had 69s to match Huston at 9 under.

“You look at the guys who are up there, and obviously Kenny and John Huston are both longer hitters than I am, so I’m going to be playing first a lot (today),” Price said. “My approach shots, I’m going to be playing first most of the day, I think.”

First-round leader Corey Pavin had a 74 to drop four strokes back at 5 under.

IRISHMAN ON TOP

Michael Hoey moved closer to giving Northern Ireland another big golf victory, taking a three-shot lead after three rounds of the Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland.

Hoey built on the second-round lead he shared with England’s Tommy Fleetwood. He shot a 6-under 66 at Carnoustie that put him at 18-under 198 in the $5 million tournament.

Northern Irishmen Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy — winners of the past two U.S. Opens — were in pursuit. McDowell had a third straight 67 and is in second place at 15 under.

“My short game was unbelievable, the best it’s ever been,” Hoey said. “I’m definitely getting all the breaks as well. Everything has just gone my way so far.”

TRACKING LOCALS ON THE PGA TOUR

This week: Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, through today at TPC Summerlin, Las Vegas.

In the field: Puyallup’s Ryan Moore, Gig Harbor’s Kyle Stanley and Olympia’s Andres Gonzales.

Stanley’s third-round score: 2-under-par 69.

Position: Stanley (11-under 202) is tied for 22nd, six strokes behind co-leaders Kevin Na and Nick Watney (196). Gonzales (2-under 140) and Moore (1-over 143) missed the cut Friday.

Recap: Stanley was even par on his round before two quick birdies at No. 13 (chip shot from in front of green to within 5 feet on the par 5) and No. 14 (9-iron tee shot to back of green for 9-foot putt on par 3) to get under par.

Tee time today: 9:30 a.m. off the first tee.

Todd Milles, staff writer