With sterling 66, Fleisher takes one-shot lead at SAS Championship

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CARY, N.C. (AP) -- Bruce Fleisher moved into position for his first Champions Tour victory in four years Saturday, shooting a 6-under 66 to take a one-stroke lead into the final round of the SAS Championship.

Bruce Fleisher is leading the field in driving accuracy this week, hitting 93 percent of his fairways. (Cox/Getty Images)

Inside the Numbers

Fleisher thru 36 Holes

Category Total Rank Birdies 12 3 Pars 22 T54 Driving Accuracy 93.3% 1 Driving Distance 248.3 yds. 70 Greens in Regulation 75.0% T19

"It's an unusual position. I haven't been there for a while," Fleisher said. "On the greens, I felt good through 12 or 13 holes. But then, I lost pace a little bit. I got tentative."

The 59-year-old Fleisher had a 10-under 134 total on the Prestonwood Country Club course. He won the 2004 Royal Caribbean Classic and Bruno's Memorial Classic for the last of his 18 Champions Tour victories.

Tom Kite (66) and Eduardo Romero (67) were tied for second. Mark McNulty (63) and John Cook (66) were another strokes back at 8 under, and Scott Hoch (66), Don Pooley (69) and Chip Beck (69) were 7 under.

"I had a good round, and I'm pleased with the way I played," said Kite, the Boeing Classic winner a month ago. "I got myself back in the back in the tournament on the back side when I caught fire. But for nine holes, it was kind of a frustrating round."

Kite birdied six of the final nine holes. He missed a 40-foot eagle putt on No. 17, leaving it just inches from the hole.

"I'm one back -- good position for tomorrow," the former Ryder Cup captain said. "But we're going to have to go low tomorrow. I'm going to have to play well."

Fleisher and Romero agreed.

"You can't stand on ceremony," Fleisher said. "If I shoot four or five under, it may not be enough. Hopefully, I can keep it going."

Romero said it's going to take at least 6 under to win.

"If I make a 66, nobody can get me," he said.

Playing in the final group of the day, Romero stayed within a stroke of Fleisher with a lucky shot on the par-5 17th. He hit his third shot from the bunker into the gallery, but it hit a chair and bounced back to the fringe of the green.

Then, he chipped to within three feet of the hole and saved par.

"It was lucky," Fleisher said. "He made a great 5. It just shows the kind of champion he is."

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