Kisner seizes PGA lead

SEA ISLAND, United States— American Kevin Kisner birdied the last three holes to fire a six-under par 64 and seize a three-stroke lead after Saturday's third round of the US PGA's RSM Classic.

Kisner, who has four runner-up finishes this year but has still never won a PGA title, stood on 16-under 196 after 54 holes with countryman Kevin Chappell second on 199.

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell, coming off a victory last week in Mexico, shook off an epic first-hole blunder to fire a 65 and jump into contention at third on 200 with Germany's Alex Cejka another stroke off the pace.

Kisner lost playoffs this year at the Heritage, the Players Championship and the Greenbrier Classic and settled for second behind Scotsman Russell Knox at the World Golf Championships event in Shanghai earlier this month.

"I'm just looking forward to it," Kisner said of the final round. "I haven't been in this position all year, with a three-shot lead going into the final round, so it's something new for me. I'm excited."

Kisner fired the low round of the day and his PGA career to grab his first solo 54-hole PGA lead, starting with a six-foot birdie putt at the fifth and a seven-footer at the eighth.

After opening the back nine with a 12-foot birdie putt, Kisner birdied 13 before taking his lone bogey at 14.

Kisner dropped his approach at the par-4 16th three feet from the cup and made the short birdie to claim the lead alone. At the par-3 17th, he left his 6-iron tee shot inches from the hole for a tap-in birdie.