Wilson leads after third round

England’s Oliver Wilson, aiming for his f irst European Tour title, moved three strokes clear of the field in the third round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on Saturday at St. Andrews, Scotland.

Wilson, who needed an invitation to compete because he lost full playing rights on tour in 2011, shot a sevenunder- par 65 on the Old Course at St. Andrews for 15- under 201 total.

Trailing him at 12 under were four players: Rory McIlroy ( 64), England’s Tommy Fleetwood ( 62), and the French pair of Raphael Jacquelin ( 69) and Alexander Levy ( 68).

Heavy overnight rain caused an hour’s delay to the start of play, and off icials adopted the preferred lie rule, meaning Fleetwood’s 10- under 62 wasn’t counted as tying the Old Course record.

McIlroy birdied f ive straight holes and made the turn on 30. But he hit into a bunker on the 16th, took two shots to get out and bogeyed the hole he eagled the day before. He f inished with a 64, one off his best on the course.

“That was mission accomplished,” McIlroy said.

“Got myself into contention going into tomorrow, and Dad and I are going to get to play St. Andrews on his birthday tomorrow which will be a huge treat for both of us.”

Tom Watson took the blame for his communication with his players in a U. S. loss last weekend at the Ryder Cup, and the captain said he called

Phil Mickelson last week to clear the air.

“I regret that my words may have made the players feel that I didn’t appreciate their commitment and dedication to winning the Ryder Cup,” Watson said in a statement issued through the PGA of America. “My intentions throughout my term as captain were both to inspire and to be honest.”

Stacy Lewis rallied from a slow start with four birdies on the back nine to share a two- stroke lead with Sweden’s Caroline Hedwall heading into the f inal round of the LPGA Reignwood Classic at Beijing. Hedwall and Lewis were at 13- under 206.