Bettencourt, Wilson lead Memorial tourney

Matt Bettencourt ran off four straight birdies Saturday on the super slick greens of Muirfield Village, survived a few scary moments on the back nine and wound up with a 4-under 68 for a share of the lead in the Memorial.

Two-time tour winner Mark Wilson had a 69 to match Bettencourt at 9-under 207, with a pack of major champions lurking at Jack Nicklaus' tournament in Dublin, Ohio, including Tiger Woods.

Jim Furyk steadied himself for a 71 and was one shot behind with Jonathan Byrd, who overcame a triple bogey on the par-3 fourth and finished with a birdie for a 71.

Former U.S. Open champion Geoff Ogilvy, who started the third round nine shots out of the lead, turned in a tournament-best 63 and was atop the leaderboard for most of the warm afternoon. Ogilvy wound up at 7 under, tied with former PGA champion Davis Love III (69), who chipped in for birdie on his last hole. Woods climbed into contention on the back nine and shot a 68, leaving him four shots behind.

Bettencourt is a true rookie, having never played a PGA Tour event until this year. He earned his card by topping the Nationwide Tour money list. The 34-year-old Californian had intentions of a career in baseball until hurting his arm, and he didn't play competitive golf until after college.

LPGA Tour

Cristie Kerr made a big jump into a tie for the lead with Kristy McPherson at the State Farm Classic in Springfield, Ill., delivering a dominant showing before a late fade in the windy third round.

Four strokes back after the second round, Kerr settled for a 6-under 66 after bogeying two of the final three holes. Then, McPherson (69) stumbled at the end, bogeying her final two holes, and that left them tied at 12-under 204 heading into today's final round.

Champions Tour

Bernhard Langer shot a 3-under 69 in warm conditions to maintain a one-stroke lead after the second round of the Triton Financial Classic in Lakeway, Texas.

The German star had a 10-under 134 total on The Hills Country Club course.

Gene Jones (66) was second, and Jeff Sluman (69) and Mark O'Meara (69) were 7 under.

-- The Associated Press