Hot Weir shares lead

Mike Weir birdied three of the last eight holes to snatch a share of the lead with American Arron Oberholser in Pebble Beach after three rounds on Saturday. Canadian Weir, three strokes clear overnight, was overhauled by Oberholser earlier in the day before a three-under-par 69 at Spyglass Hill.

The two shared the lead at 17-under 199 going into Sunday's final round.

Weir, the 2003 U.S. Masters champion, holed a fast-breaking 25-footer for birdie at the last to put himself in line for his first PGA Tour title since the 2004 Nissan Open.

"It's a while since I've been in this position on a Saturday," he told reporters. "It was a tough day out there but I'm very happy with a 69.

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"I have some good memories to draw upon from Pebble Beach," added Weir, who has finished eighth or better in five of his last six appearances here.

Local favourite Oberholser picked up shots at two of his last three holes for an impressive 66 in strengthening afternoon sea breezes at the Pebble Beach Golf Links.

GOLF 2006 AT&T Pebble Beach 3R Oberholser

Image credit: Reuters

The 31-year-old, a former college student at the nearby San Jose State University who knows Pebble Beach as well anyone in the field, collected seven birdies, plus a bogey.

"I just tried to stay in the moment all day and enjoy every shot," a relaxed Oberholser said after starting his round on the par-four 10th.

EXECUTING SHOTS

"I was committed to my routine and able to execute the golf shots that I wanted to execute. I don't think anything could really have bothered me today. It was a great day."

Producing superb form with his putter on the bumpy greens, Oberholser birdied three of his first nine holes to take an early one-stroke lead over Weir.

Although he dropped his only shot of the day at the par-four first, where his ball collected mud after he found the middle of the fairway with his drive, he recovered with further birdies at the second and third.

At the picturesque par-three seventh, he holed a 20-footer before sinking a birdie putt from a similar distance at the par-four eighth to stretch his advantage briefly to two.

Champion Phil Mickelson charged into early contention before Oberholser and Weir took charge of the tournament.

Left-hander Mickelson, who won last year's title by four shots, reeled off six birdies in seven holes on the way to a five-under-par 67 at Pebble Beach.

For a while, the world number four was tied for fifth place but he fell back with a bogey-five at the 16th, where he was surprised to see his drive end up behind a tree, before finishing nine strokes off the pace at eight under.

PERFECT DRIVE

"I hit a perfect drive on 16 and my yardage book was last updated on December 21," Mickelson said. "And they have put a tree in there since then and I was right behind it.

"I played very well today. It was not an easy course with the wind. Winning is a little far-fetched but I'm certainly going to go out tomorrow and try to do the same thing I did today, get off to a hot start."

Britain's Luke Donald, first-round leader after a course record-equalling 62 at Spyglass Hill, returned a 71 at Poppy Hills, the third of the three venues hosting the tournament, to finish alone in third at 11 under.

One stroke back were South African Rory Sabbatini (68), Britain's Brian Davis (68) and American duo Nick Watney (70) and Harrison Frazar (67).

Among the other big names, world number two Vijay Singh carded a 72 at Pebble Beach to share 33rd place at five under with Davis Love III, who had a 75 at Poppy Hills.

The third-round cut fell at three-under 213, with 67 professionals in the 179-strong field qualifying for Sunday's final round on the Pebble Beach Golf Links.

Among those missing out were former U.S. Open champion Steve Jones (214) and Corey Pavin (215) and five-times champion Mark O'Meara (227). d

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