Pak and Azinger lead JCPenney Classic

Se Ri Pak and Paul Azinger combined for a 9-under 62 to take a four-stroke lead after the third round of the JCPenney Classic in Palm Harbour, Florida.

Se Ri Pak and Paul Azinger combined for a 9-under 62 to take a four-stroke lead after the third round of the JCPenney Classic in Palm Harbour, Florida.

"He made birdie, or I make par," Pak said on Saturday. "It was perfect."

Azinger had an eagle and seven birdies in the best-ball round on the Westin Innisbrook Resort's Copperhead course, powering the team to a 22-under 191 total. The final round will feature a modified alternate-shot format.

Scott Gump and Maria Hojorth were second after a 65. John Daly and Laura Davies (67) were five strokes back at 17-under 196, and Justin Leonard and Juli Inkster (66) topped a five-team group at 197.

In the tournament's 22-year history, no team leading by three or more shots after the third round has failed to win.

"Oh, great! We got that going for us," Azinger cracked.

Azinger had everything going for him on Saturday.

"I didn't hit a chip shot until No 12 and almost holed it," Azinger said. "The only other green I missed was 16, where I was in a bunker and I almost holed it."

Azinger's eagle came on the 572-yard, par-5 14th, when he hit 3-wood from 260 yards to 45 feet and drained the putt.

"He didn't give me a chance," Pak said. "He made everything."

Azinger did not seem to mind.

"She played well," he said. "She made a lot of pars. When your partner already has made par and you are putting for birdie that's going to help."

Azinger, winless on the PGA Tour since returning from a bout with cancer in 1995, is hoping to help his confidence with a victory. Even if it is in an unofficial event.

"I've been saying this for a while," he said. "I just want to get into contention. When you have not been playing well, you just have to take baby steps."

Leading team scores after the third round of the the $2 million JCPenney Classic played on the Westin Innisbrook Resort's Copperhead course, men par-71, 7,054 yards (6,454 meters), women 6,330 yards (5,792 meters), par-71:

Paul Azinger and Se Ri Pak 65-64-62-191 Scott Gump and Maria Hjorth 65-65-65-195 John Daly and Laura Davies 63-66-67-196 Justin Leonard and Juli Inkster 65-66-66-197 Bill Glasson and Joan Pitcock 68-67-62-197 J.P. Hayes and Kristi Albers 67-67-63-197 Steve Pate and Meg Mallon 63-70-64-197 Esteban Toledo and Wendy Doolan 66-68-63-197 Chris Perry and Catrin Nilsmark 68-67-63-198 Mike Springer and Melissa McNamara 67-66-65-198 Jeff Sluman and Dottie Pepper 69-65-65-199 Fred Funk and Tina Barrett 68-66-65-199 Robert Damron and Charlotte Sorenstam 66-66-67-199 J.L. Lewis and Jill McGill 65-70-64-199 Brad Bryant and Marta Figueras-Dotta 66-68-65-199 Omar Uresti and Dina Ammaccapane 67-67-65-199 Steve Lowery and Chris Johnson 68-69-63-200 Mike Hulbert and Donna Andrews 65-68-67-200 Dudley Hart and Dawn Coe-Jones 67-66-67-200 Mike Weir and Lorie Kane 67-67-66-200 Steve Flesch and Janice Moodie 68-65-67-200 Tommy Armour III and Cindy Figg-Currier 67-68-65-200