Clarke leads NEC Invitational entering final round

AKRON, Ohio -- Darren Clarke says he's working harder than ever. The proof is on the scoreboard, not on the scales.

Lumbering down the fairway, often puffing away on cigars, Clarke emerged with the lead Saturday in the NEC Invitational, setting himself up for a chance to join Tiger Woods as the only multiple winners in the World Golf Championships.

It wasn't exactly a conventional 4-under 66.

He made a birdie when his tee shot ricocheted out of the trees. He made a par by chipping in with his 3-wood. And his best hole might have been a bogey, which came only after he played down the wrong fairway.

When a wild day ended at Firestone -- a half-dozen players with a share of the lead at one point -- Clarke was at 9-under 201 and leading by one over Jonathan Kaye.

"I tend to work pretty hard," Clarke said. "People don't think that I do, looking at me. It's been frustrating to put as much work in as I have been, and not gotten any results."

He's gotten even less from the fitness routine he talked about at the Masters.

"Not quite as good as I'd hoped, really," the 35-year-old from Northern Ireland said, grinning as he patted the girth on his 230-pound frame.

He has no complaints about the golf, though.

"I hit some good shots and some bad shots, but thankfully my short game has been very sharp, and that's what made the difference," Clarke said.

Kaye, who won for the first time on the PGA Tour this year at the Buick Classic, birdied his four holes and finished strong for a 65.

Chris Riley, a co-leader with David Toms going into the weekend, had an even-par 70 and was two shots behind at 203. Tiger Woods (67) and Davis Love III (68) were at 204.

LPGA Tour

KUTZTOWN, Pa. -- Candie Kung shot a 6-under 66 to take a one-stroke lead over Meg Mallon after the third round of the Wachovia Classic.

Kung had a 12-under 204 total. Mallon needed birdies on two of her last four holes, including a tap-in at 18, for a 71.

Karrie Webb (65) and Carin Koch (67) were three strokes back. Defending champion Se Ri Pak shot herself back into contention with a 67 and stands alone in fifth at 208.

Champions Tour

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa -- Don Pooley shot a 4-under 67to emerge with a one-stroke lead after two rounds of the Allianz Championship, which is poised for a wild finish today.

Six challengers were within two strokes of Pooley, who tops the field at 9-under 133.

First-round leader Bruce Lietzke was part of a trio at 8 under after a 69. Bruce Fleisher and 2001 winner Jim Thorpe also were 8 under, Fleisher shooting a 64 and Thorpe a 67.-- From wire reports