Australian Stuart Appleby regained the lead in the US PGA Tour's elite season opening Mercedes Championship, opening a two-stroke edge over Vijay Singh after three rounds. Appleby, who led after the first round before surrendering the halfway advantage to Singh, popped his nose back in front with a seven-under-par 66 on Maui's Kapalua Plantation course in Hawaii.
Appleby birdied three of the final four holes for an impressive 54-hole total of 20-under 199. Singh struggled a little with his putter en route to a 69 that left him at 18-under 201.
Retief Goosen (64) was five shots back in third place, while Darren Clarke trailed by six after a 69 that included an eagle from 192 yards at the par-four 17th. Tiger Woods carded a superb 65 but still left himself with a big mountain to climb, seven shots behind.
Filed by James Boylan
