Howell stays ahead in tight RSM Classic

Two quick birdies and Charles Howell III was five shots ahead. Four hours later, he was reminded why winning never comes easily, especially for someone who has gone more than 11 years and 332 starts since his last victory.

Howell didn’t make enough birdies to do much of anything except post a two-under 68 and keep his name atop the leaderboard at the RSM Classic in St. Simons Island, Ga., even if only by one shot over PGA Tour rookie Cameron Champ and part-time insurance salesman Jason Gore.

“I have a chance to win the tournament, and I’d have taken that Thursday morning,” Howell said. He was at 16-under 194. Champ ran off four straight birdies and shot four-under 66. A winner at the Sanderson Farms Championship in Mississippi last month, this is the 12th time in his last 15 rounds Champ has been in the top 10. Gore, who only a few weeks ago became certified to sell insurance, overcame a missed tapin with three birdies and an 18-foot eagle putt over his next six holes and shot 66. The winner gets an invitation to the Masters.

Lexi Thompson’s four-under 68 pushed her to 16 under after three rounds of the LPGA’s season-ending event. She moved three shots clear of Nelly Korda and six ahead of Carlota Ciganda at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Fla. Korda shot her second consecutive 67 to get to 13 under, and Ciganda grinded out a 69 to get to 10 under.