Kuchar loses lead at Humana Challenge

LA QUINTA, Calif. — Matt Kuchar stumbled late in the third round of the Humana Challenge, handing the lead to Erik Compton, Bill Haas, Justin Thomas and Michael Putnam.

Two strokes ahead after a birdie on the par-5 14th, Kuchar bogeyed three of the final four holes Saturday for a 1-under 71 on PGA West’s Arnold Palmer Private Course.

Two-time heart transplant recipient Compton shot a 67 on the Jack Nicklaus Private Course to join Haas, Thomas and Putnam at 17-under 199. Haas, the 2010 winner, had a 69 on the Nicklaus layout. Thomas shot 68 on the Palmer course, and Putnam had a 69 at La Quinta Country Club.

Kuchar was a stroke back along with Ryan Palmer, Scott Pinckney and Steve Wheatcroft.

Defending champion Patrick Reed, of Spring, was tied for ninth at 14 under after a 67. In other golf news: • Dustin Johnson is returning to the PGA Tour from a six-month break in which he said Friday “it was time to grow up.” Johnson has not competed since he missed the cut at the Canadian Open on July 25. His first tournament back will be the Farmers Insurance Open on Feb. 5-8.

• Miguel Angel Jimenez shot an 8-under 64 for a share of the lead with Rocco Mediate in the Champions Tour’s season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship in Kaupulehu-Kona, Hawaii.

• South Africa’s Branden Grace made a decisive eagle on the 16th to win the Qatar Masters by one stroke over Scotland’s Marc Warren in Doha, Qatar, and clinch his sixth European Tour title.

WINTER SPORTS ered to finish 23rd, more than two seconds back.

HOCKEY Stadium, the home of the New England Patriots.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL claim the championship in the women’s 112-pound flyweight division at the USA Boxing Elite National Championships in Spokane, Wash. In other news: • Brandon Rios defeated Mike Alvarado in a third-round knockout in their welterweight bout in Broomfield, Colo.

MISCELLANEOUS