Appleby on a hot streak in Vegas

Australia's Stuart Appleby put himself in position for his first win in four years and his third straight top-10 finish with …

Australia's Stuart Appleby put himself in position for his first win in four years and his third straight top-10 finish with a six-under-par 66 to fashion a one-stroke lead after four rounds of the Las Vegas Invitational.

"I am really pleased to be in this position," Appleby said. "But the courses are certainly a lot easier than what we are used to playing. You should be looking and comparing yourself to everybody else in the field.

"When you look at Tiger (Woods), he shoots 68 or 69 average constantly. That is on all the courses, from difficult to easyish. That's the guy to look at.

Appleby has posted Tiger-like numbers over the last three weeks. He had four straight rounds in the 60s to tie for second at the 84 Lumber Classic, then was runner-up at the American Express Championship.

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"I wouldn't say I am streaky," Appleby said. "I wouldn't say I have extremes. I would call someone very extreme if he missed four or five cuts and then had three top threes. I don't have a problem missing cuts.

Appleby broke 70 in seven of eight rounds heading to Las Vegas and has not lost his touch. His 66 at Summerlin left him at 28-under 259 with one round left.

"I still need to work on a few things," he said. "You are always trying to tune in the radio. That is what golf is all about.

"Sometimes you are running on AM when you should be on FM. That is what it is like, turning a dial to tune your game back in.

Appleby has some history on his side. The 72-hole leader has gone on to win here 13 times in the 20-year history of the tournament.

Appleby tied for second here last year, losing to Phil Tataurangi by one shot. Jim Furyk had a share of the lead after 72 holes in all three of his wins at this event but is tied for 16th at 18-under this time.

Steve Flesch is alone in second at 27-under following a 68, while Scott McCarron (67) is three shots off the pace and Robert Allenby (66) is four back.