GOLF Love in line for Masters

GOLF

Davis Love III, of the United States, who needs a victory to secure an invitation to the US Masters at Augusta this week, was the clubhouse leader at the close of the third day's play in the Freeport McMoran Classic in New Orleans, with six players unable to complete their rounds before darkness set in.

The last three pairings will finish off before the start of the final round, play being behind schedule as a result of heavy rain which caused a delay of five hours on Friday. Love leads by one shot from Steve Jones after a 66 put him on a 13-under-par total of 203, Jones also going round in 66.

Three players are on 11 under including Dave Peoples, another to shoot 66, but the other two - David Duval and Mike Standly - have yet to finish their rounds, both having played 15 holes.

The Open runner-up, Jesper Parnevik, leads the European challenge five shots off the pace on 208 after a 70, while Ian Woosnam and Sandy Lyle both shot 71s for totals of 210 and 212. David Feherty slumped to a 77 and brings up the rear on 220.

FREEPORT McMORAN CLASSIC (New Orleans) Leading third-round scores (six players unable to finish because of bad light; US unless stated): 203 D Love III 68 69 66. 204 S Jones 69 69 66. 205 D Peoples 70 69 66. 206 C Parry (Aus) 71 69 66; M Bradley 68 71 67; M Wiebe 70 68 68. 207 L Clements 69 68 70. 208 G Kraft 70 71 67; B Bryant 65 74 69; B Mayfair 67 71 70; J Maggert 72 66 70; J Parnevik (Swe) 71 67 70; M Heinen 66 71 71. Selected: 210 I Woosnam (Wal) 70 69 71. 212 S Lyle (Sco) 69 72 71. 220 D Feherty (N Irl) 70 73 77.