Leonard on course for repeat victory in Texas

Defending champion Justin Leonard shot a 68 on Saturday to take a two-stroke lead into the final round of the $3 million Texas Open.

The 29-year-old American put himself in a good position to became the first repeat winner of the event since Arnold Palmer in 1962 when he finished on 197, 16 under par, at the LaCantera Golf Club.

Former U.S. Amateur champion Matt Kuchar fired a 64 -- the best round of his fledgling pro career -- to move into second place on 199. Carl Paulson (68) was a further stroke back on 200, two ahead of Tom Scherrer, J.J. Henry and Marco Dawson.

"I feel like I have a lot of work to do to close the deal, but I like the position I've put myself in," said Texan Leonard, who would become the first player since Tiger Woods at this year's World Golf Championship-NEC Invitational in Ohio to score a repeat win.

The 1997 British Open champion saw his three-shot overnight lead dwindle to one stroke after reaching the turn in 35, but birdies at the 10th, 12th and 15th holes took him two clear of Kuchar.

"I didn't play as well as I did the first couple of days, but I still have a lead and that's where I want to be," said Leonard.

He made an excellent start when he sank a 30-foot putt for a birdie at the second hole. But he gave that back with a bogey at the par four fifth.

"I made the one putt (No. 2) I probably shouldn't have and missed all the others," Leonard said. "My best shot was probably a sand save (to four feet) on No. 17."

Kuchar, who recorded top 24 finishes in both the U.S. Open and U.S. Masters as an amateur, made the biggest move of the day.

Playing with a special exemption this week, he charged through the field after starting out six shots off the pace.

"It will be exciting to be in the final group on the last day," Kuchar said.

"I remember when I was in the next-to-last group on Saturday of the U.S. Open (1998) and that was one of my biggest thrills."

Sweden's Jesper Parnevik, well placed after the first nine holes, ran into trouble with his driver on the inward half and could only manage a level-par 71 for 204.