Leishman extends lead to five at WNB Golf Classic

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MIDLAND, Texas -- The "Friday Night Lights" of the Permian Basin were shining on Marc Leishman Friday night and the Australian continued to shine in Saturday's third round of the WNB Golf Classic at Midland Country Club, shooting 6-under 66 for a 17-under-par 199 total and taking a five-shot lead into the final round.

Marc Leishman is excelling in the difficult conditions this week. (Cohen/Getty Images)

Inside the Numbers

Leishman thru 54 Holes

Category Total Rank Eagles 1 T4 Birdies 18 1 Pars 32 T47 Bogeys 3 T68 Double Bogeys 0 N/A Other 0 N/A Driving Accuracy 57.1% T40 Driving Distance 331.8 yds. 2 Greens in Regulation 72.2% T18 Putts per Round 25.3 1 Putts per GIR 1.564 2 Sand Saves 0.0% T62

Michael Boyd (68), from Tulsa, Okla., is alone in second at 12-under 204.

Tied for third at 10-under 206 are Australia's Cameron Percy (66) and Brendon de Jonge (67), the Nationwide Tour money leader. Another Australian, Aron Price (68), is fifth at 9-under 207.

Ricky Barnes (71), the bubble boy in THE 25, and first-round co-leader Spencer Levin (72) are 8 under and tied for sixth.

Leishman got off to a great start on a very windy Saturday with birdies at Nos. 2, 3 and 4 before adding another birdie at No. 6, where he holed a putt from just off the green. He made the turn at 16 under, five shots ahead of Boyd.

His only blemish came at the par-5 15th hole, where he made a bogey after misjudging the wind from 70 yards, but he bounced back with a birdie at the par-3 16th, hitting a 7-iron to five feet and holing the putt.

Growing up in windy Warnambool on the south coast of Australia, Leishman learned to play all kinds of different shots in the wind.

"I don't really have to think about it too much, it just kind of comes naturally, so I hope it's windy again tomorrow," said Leishman.

Other players are astounded how well Leishman is playing in the difficult conditions. When informed of their comments, he responded, "I didn't know that. I guess it's always good to get a bit of respect."

Leishman's biggest tournament win was in 2006 at the Jisan Resort Open on the Korean PGA Tour, where he won by 10 strokes after going into the final round with a seven-stroke lead. A win on Sunday would vault him into THE 25, giving him a great chance to secure a spot on the PGA TOUR next year.

After getting through the 2006 Qualifying School on his first attempt, being one of eight players to successfully negotiate all three stages, Boyd finished 208th on the 2007 PGA TOUR money list. The former TOUR caddie from Tulsa, Okla., has struggled this year with just one top-25 finish and too many missed cuts. At 121st on the money list with $31,548, a win for Boyd would be huge.

"I've had 10 weeks without making any money," said the father of one. "The whole country is in a financial skid. I have no money in the market, but nobody can go 10 weeks without making any money."

Boyd would have been a lot closer to Leishman's lead had it not been for a double bogey at the 17th hole when he hit his second shot in the water hazard.

"I felt a little bit uncomfortable on the 17th tee but the par on 18 was huge," said Boyd. "I said to my caddie, 'we're still in this.'"

Percy had a round of two distinct nines. On the front he made birdies at Nos. 1, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 9 to turn in 6-under 30, then made nine straight pars coming home.

"I probably could have had a couple more," said the 34-year-old former sports reporter. "I missed an 8-footer for birdie at the second and missed another one from 15 feet -- short, right in the heart, somewhere else. Every shot I hit just kept going close to the hole. I just couldn't get the ball in the hole on the back nine."

Percy was just back in Australia for the birth of his second child two weeks ago and took advantage of the visit to see his coach.

"We had a really good session and I'm seeing the results now," said Percy, who is 60th on the money list and is looking to secure his position to earn a spot in the Tour Championship field at TPC Craig Ranch next month.

Leishman, who spends his free time at his girlfriend's home in Virginia Beach, is looking forward to Sunday's challenge.

"I was a little more conservative off the tee today and it was another good day with the putter," he said. "Hopefully I can do the same tomorrow."

Third-Round News & Notes: Scott Piercy (70), Jarrod Lyle (73) and Colt Knost (72) are this season's multiple winners. ... Brad Fritsch (68) started at the 10th hole and made four consecutive birdies on hole Nos. 11-14. ... Low round of the day was 6-under 66 by the Australian pair of Leishman and Percy. ... Mark Brooks (68), the 1996 PGA Championship winner, is tied for 24th. ... David McKenzie's round of 73 featured 17 consecutive pars and a bogey at the 18th hole. ... The scoring average was 71.594. ... Sunday's tee times will begin at 8:30 a.m. CT from both the first and 10th tees due to possible inclement weather.