Golf:American Brendan Steele broke from a pack of seven golfers with a four-under-par 68 to grab a one-shot third round lead at the Texas Open.
Steele, who shared the overnight lead with six others, found himself alone atop the leaderboard when he rolled in a long birdie putt at the 18th and compatriot Cameron Tringale bogeyed the last for a 68 to fall one off the pace.
One-over going into the turn on another gusty day at the TPC San Antonio, Steele caught fire with an error-free back nine dropping five birdies for a three day total of seven-under 209.
"It would be huge," said Steele when asked what a maiden PGA Tour title would mean. "It would validate a lot of things in my career as far as being a guy that's just trying to feel his way out here right now as a rookie and trying to get some good finishes under my belt.
"To get a win would be an ultimate, two year status and really feel like I fit in out here, that would be amazing."
Americans packed the top of the leaderboard with Kevin Chappell (70) and Brandt Snedeker (70), who were among the group with a share of the overnight lead, sitting two shots back at five-under.
"This golf course is tough just because it doesn't ever let up driving," said Chappell. "You can make a big number on any hole.
"So it's exciting to be in the position I'm in but anyone within five, six shots of the lead can have a chance tomorrow if they can play a good round in the wind."
Pat Perez returned the round of the day, a five-under 67, to move into contention three off the pace alongside Charles Howell III (68) and Australian Adam Scott (70).
Australian Geoff Ogilvy and American Kevin Sutherland, two others who began the day with a share of top spot, slipped down the leaderboard carding two-over 74s to sit six back on one-under 215.
