Maruyama leads Nelson Classic

IRVING, Texas -- Ernie Els made a big charge early. Phil Mickelson staggered home down the stretch. At the end of a hot and gusty day at the Byron Nelson Classic, everyone was in the same situation -- trying to catch Shigeki Maruyama.

Maruyama holed a 7-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole for a 2-under 68 that gave him a three-stroke lead over Cameron Beckman and a good chance to give Asian golfers their second PGA Tour victory in as many weeks. Last week in New Orleans, K.J. Choi became the first PGA Tour winner from South Korea.

Maruyama recovered from two bogeys in the middle of his round by making a great par save from the thick rough on No. 15, and his birdie on the 18th put him at 12-under 198.

Beckman earned a spot in the final group with a 66, the best score among late starters when the gusts approached 30 mph.

Aerus Electrolux USA Championship

FRANKLIN, Tenn. -- Nineteen-year-old rookie Natalie Gulbis shot a career-best 6-under 66 to take a one-stroke lead after the third round of the Aerus Electrolux USA Championship.

Gulbis, playing only her seventh event since joining the LPGA Tour full-time, birdied four of the first seven holes and finished with seven birdies and just one bogey to reach 11 under.

Brandie Burton, the leader after two rounds, shot a 70 to drop into a tie with Pat Hurst (67) at 10-under 206.

Annika Sorenstam (70) held the lead at 11 under for two holes but slipped with two consecutive bogeys. She was two strokes back along with Grace Park (67). Laura Diaz (70) and Danielle Ammaccapane (70) followed at 8-under 208, and Se Ri Pak (66) topped a group four strokes back at 207.

Benson and Hedges International

SUTTON COLDFIELD, England -- England's Barry Lane shot a course-record 7-under-par 65 to take a two-stroke lead over countrym,an Greg Owen in the Benson and Hedges International.

Lane had four birdies and an eagle in a front-nine 30 on The Belfry's Brabazon Course, site of the Ryder Cup matches in September. He broke the mark of 66, which was held by six players.

Nichirei Cup

TOKYO -- Two-time defending champion Karrie Webb shot a 7-under 65 for a share of the lead in the Nichirei Cup.

The Australian star had eight birdies -- five straight starting with the 11th hole -- on the Tokyo Yomiuri course to match Japan's Yuri Fudo (70) at 12-under 204.

TD Waterhouse Championship

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Bruce Lietzke shot an 8-under-par 64 to take a two-stroke lead over Larry Nelson after the second round of the TD Waterhouse Championship.

Lietzke had an 11-under 133 total on the soaked Tiffany Greens course could be unplayable for Sunday's final round if another round of thunderstorms rolls in overnight as forecast.