Webb Simpson breaks out of crowd to take Colonial lead

FORT WORTH, TEXAS >> Webb Simpson felt almost as if he had just played a round in a major after a steamy Saturday at Colonial.

For the 2012 U.S. Open champion, and pretty much everyone else at Hogan’s Alley, it was a mentally draining day at the traditional tree-lined course where temperatures were in the upper 90s, with a heat index of 108 degrees and wind gusting to 25 mph.

“There is so much thinking involved on every shot,” Simpson said.

Even so, Simpson shot a 3-under 67 to break out of a crowd and take the thirdround lead.

At 9-under 201, Simpson was two strokes ahead of Paul Casey (68) and Danny Lee (69) after both of them made long birdie putts at the 18th hole. Stewart Cink (66) and Kevin Kisner (70) were three strokes off the lead.

“It was a good grind day,” Lee said. “It’s tough out there with the wind blowing sideways.”

Defending champion Jordan Spieth shot 68 to get to 4 under, even with caddie Michael Greller leaving the course after 11 holes because of heat exhaustion.

Part of a four-way tie for the 36-hole lead, Simpson went ahead alone to stay after consecutive birdies to start his back nine. He made a 6-foot birdie putt at the 387-yard 10th and a 12-footer at the 630yard 11th before finishing with seven consecutive pars.

It is on the second time in 12 years for the 54-hole leader at Colonial to have more than a one-stroke advantage.

Singh leads Langer by a stroke at Senior PGA on Trump course

STERLING, VA. >> For Bernhard Langer, winning the Senior PGA Championship after several close calls would cap off a decade of dominance on the over-50 circuit. Vijay Singh is playing the event for the first time in his fifth year of eligibility and still wants to compete on the PGA Tour.

Singh used his power to move ahead of Langer on Saturday at rain-softened Trump National, but Langer used his guile to stay close, setting up a duel for the title between the Hall of Famers.

The 54-year-old Singh made three more birdies on par 5s to shoot a 4-under 67 at President Donald Trump’s course on the shores of the Potomac River. He had a 15-under 201 total, playing the par 5s in 10 under.

“He played phenomenal,” Langer said. “It was fun to watch some of the shots that he hit.”

The 59-year-old Langer shot 70, ending a run of seven straight rounds in the 60s, and was one shot back. He’s seeking his ninth senior major, which would break Jack Nicklaus’ record. He tied Nicklaus last week with a final-round 64 to win the Regions Tradition by five shots. The Senior PGA is the only senior major he hasn’t won.

“I’ve had some tremendous rounds on Sundays, this year especially. My lowest rounds came on Sundays this year. So that’s encouraging,” Langer said. “Hoping to pull another one tomorrow, but it doesn’t happen all the time.”

Feng takes 1-stroke lead after bogey-free 66 in Michigan

ANN ARBOR, MICH. >> Whether she realized it or not, Shanshan Feng finished the third round of the LPGA Volvik Championship in first place.

Feng, who insists she tries to ignore leaderboards at this stage of a tournament, shot a 6-under 66 on Saturday to take a one-stroke lead over Lizette Salas. Feng’s bogey-free round left her at 15 under for the tournament as she pursues her seventh career victory.

“I have a habit that I don’t look at the leaderboards until Sunday night, so I actually don’t really know where I’m at and I don’t really know what the others are doing,” the Chinese star said. “But I’m feeling good about my condition right now and what I’ve done the first three days, so looking forward to the final day.”

Feng birdied the last two holes Saturday on the 6,734yard course at Travis Pointe Country Club. She took over sole possession of the lead when Salas bogeyed No. 18 moments later.