Day leads by two under easier conditions

By The Associated Press

Jason Day sputtered at the start and finally hit his stride for a 4-under 67 to build a two-shot lead going into the final round of the Wells Fargo Championship at Charlotte, N.C., and a chance for his second victory this year.

Peter Uihlein, Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy all showed early Saturday that it was a softer, gentler Quail Hollow under an overcast sky. Uihlein had a 62, one off the course record, and finished before the leaders began the third round.

Mickelson had a 64, his lowest score of the season. McIlroy settled for a 66.

Day blasted a 9-iron out of the left rough with the wind at his back from 195 yards to 18 inches on No. 9 for his first birdie, and he was on his way. He had five birdies in his last 10 holes and was at 10-under 203. His closest competitor was Nick Watney, at 8-under after a 66. Tiger Woods finished with a 68. He was nine shots behind.

LPGA

Sung Hyun Park and Jenny Shin finished the rain-delayed first round of the abbreviated LPGA Texas Classic at The Colony with 6-under 65s to share a one-stroke lead. After Thursday’s play was canceled and Friday’s began after an 8½hour rain delay, the tournament was reduced from 72 holes to 36.

Champions

Bernhard Langer plodded his way to an even-par 72, good enough to maintain the lead at the Insperity Invitational. Langer was at 9-under 135 and had a one-shot lead over three players after he followed up his course-record-tying opening-round 63 by making just two birdies at The Woodlands, Texas.