Frost takes lead at Regions Tradition
BIRMINGHAM — David Frost birdied the 16th and 17th holes Saturday en route to a 6-under 66 and a onestroke lead over Fred Couples after the third round of the Regions Tradition.
Frost, the South African who won the Toshiba Classic in March for his fourth Champions Tour title, had four birdies on the final eight holes to move to 12-under 205 in the major championship.
He said being able to sleep with the lead isn’t the biggest thing about his situation.
“It’s more just being comfortable with your game,” Frost said. “Getting into position like this makes you become a little more at ease the more you get there, but my game’s been good this year.
“So I’m quite excited about (Sunday).”
Couples, the Presidents Cup captain and World Golf Hall of Famer, shot a bogey-free 68.
“I played the par 5s even, which is unusual for me,” he said. “I played them very poorly actually, made a couple of good upand-downs to save pars. Then the other 14 holes, I played really well. I’d like to say I wasn’t in too much trouble, basically because when I drove it in the rough, I judged my second shots pretty well out of the rough.
“(Sunday), I’m going to have to hit more fairways and play a little bit better from tee to green. When I did hit a good shot, it was a really good one and I made birdies.
He managed to save par on No. 6 when his drive went right into the creek.
“I can’t sit here and kick myself,” Couples said. “I’m one behind Frosty. I’m in good shape.”
The final round will have a two-tee morning start because rain is expected.
Sixty-one-year-old Morris Hatalsky, third-round leader Duffy Waldorf and Michael Allen were two strokes back. Hatalsky had a 67, Waldorf shot 71 and Allen bogeyed the final hole for a 69.
Corey Pavin delivered one highlight with a holein- one on the 173-yard eighth hole. He shot a 68 to finish at 6 under. It was his first ace since 2008 in the second round of the AT&T National.
“I’ve got the video in my head,” Pavin said. “I got up there and just hit a 6-iron right at it actually. I hit a really good shot and actually when it was in the air I said, ‘Go in!’ and it landed on the front fringe or right on the fringe on the green and just trickled and rolled in like a putt.”
Peter Jacobsen withdrew before the round because of a foot injury.
OTHER TOURNAMENTS
LPGA Championship at Pittsford, N.Y.: Overcoming rain and a muddy course, Morgan Pressel shot a 2-under 70 to take the lead after two rounds.
At 6-under 138, Pressel had a two-shot lead over top-ranked Inbee Park and Chella Choi. Park shot 68; Choi, the first-round leader, struggled with a 73.
The final two rounds will be squeezed into a 36hole marathon Sunday at Locust Hill Country Club to determine the winner of the tour’s second major. The change came after nearly five inches of rain fell Thursday, postponing the first round.
“I run a lot,” Pressel said, laughing. “I’m in plenty good enough shape to get through 36 holes tomorrow.”
Pressel is attempting to end a string of eight straight majors won by Asian-born players.