Sluman hopes to re-write history

MILWUAKEE -- Jeff Sluman is in the same place as he was a year ago, but miles ahead in his game.

Sluman fired an 8-under-par 63 on Saturday to take a two-stroke lead over Steve Lowery (64) after three rounds at the Greater Milwaukee Open.

Sluman also was the leader after 54 holes last year only to card a 1-over 72 on Sunday to finish in a tie for 10th.

This time, thanks to his 54-hole GMO record 193 total, he's within range of the tournament record of minus-24. Loren Roberts carded a 260 in 2000.

Although he's in the same position, Sluman said there's no comparison to his play from a year ago, when he missed nine of 13 fairways on Saturday, making his Sunday stumble not much of a surprise.

"Hopefully, this year, it'll work out better," said Sluman, who missed just one fairway on Saturday, the 18th, which he birdied after driving the tee shot into the short cut.

"Last year I wasn't playing very well at all," Sluman said. "With experience, I was able to hold on last year under adverse swing thoughts, I guess you would say.

"This year, I feel like I'm hitting the ball a lot better and a lot straighter. Last year was a mystery every time I got on the tee. At least this year I feel like through these first three rounds I've got a pretty good idea where it's going to go."

Sluman said he's playing some of the best golf of his 20-year PGA Tour career.

"Scoring-wise, this is pretty close," he said.

Kirk Triplett, who began the day tied with Sluman and Tommy Armour III atop the leaderboard, shot a 4-under 67 and is alone in third place four strokes back.

SENIORS: Mike McCullough shot a 5-under 67 Saturday to reach 12-under and take a one-stroke lead into the final round of the Senior Players Championship.

McCullough is in position to win his first Senior PGA Tour title this year because he is the only player to have three rounds in the 60s. However, he likely will have to put together another solid round in the fourth and final major because the TPC of Michigan is susceptible to low scores.

Hubert Green, who tied the course record with a 63 Friday and took a three-stroke lead into the third round, shot 1-under. He will begin Sunday one stroke behind McCullough.

Stewart Ginn is alone in third at 8-under after shooting 70.

Two-time champion Raymond Floyd, who had the best day with a 65, is at 7 under along with Doug Tewell, Larry Nelson, and first-round leader Hale Irwin.

LPGA: Karrie Webb, who has won as many LPGA Tour events as Beth Bauer has played, shot a 5-under-par 66 to share the lead with the rookie after Saturday's third round of the Jamie Farr Kroger Classic.

One of the brightest young players on the tour, Bauer shot a 67 to match Webb at 10-under-par 203.

Rachel Teske, one of Webb's principal rivals back in their amateur days in Australia, shot a 64 to move a shot back at 204.

-- From wire reports