Roberts Dials Up 63 For Third-Round Mci Lead

Loren Roberts took a Greg Norman-style lead into the final round of the MCI Heritage Classic at Hilton Head Island, S.C., after a 63 Saturday that included a record-tying front nine.

Roberts started with five straight birdies and tied a Harbour Town Golf Links record with 30 halfway through the round. He got three more birdies on the back and had a 198, tying Hale Irwin’s 54-hole mark.

Roberts won’t have Nick Faldo chasing him today - the Masters champion was 10 shots behind - or Norman, who was 12 in back. But he will have sharp and ready Mark O’Meara, who shot 65 and was four shots back at 11-under.

At Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Hale Irwin, playing with patience but still cautious about his iron game, charged back into the lead in the third round of the PGA Seniors championship.

Irwin finished with a 3-under 69 and a 54-hole total of 7-under 207 at the PGA National Resort & Spa.

At Stockbridge, Ga., Dottie Pepper and Margaret Platt shared the second-round lead as heavy rains and high winds disrupted play in the LPGA Chick-fil-A Charity Championships.

Half the field was still on the course when play was halted after heavy downpours and hurricane warnings stopped play.

Robin Walton of Clarkston finished her round at 80 for a total of 155, plus-11. Tracy Hanson of Rathdrum, Idaho, did not finish play after beginning the day tied for fourth.