The Daily Wrap-up, Rd. 3: Zurich Classic
NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Jerry Kelly just wants to have fun.
Even in New Orleans, where he loves the great food and hot music, walking off with his third PGA TOUR victory at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans would certainly up the fun factor.
"I'm going to try to have fun and see what happens," Kelly said after shooting a bogey-free 3-under 69 on Saturday to increase his lead to three strokes. "That's the key to my success when I come to a place like this. I have fun outside the ropes and inside the ropes."
Kelly, the 42-year-old Wisconsin player who won his two TOUR titles in 2002, has previously held or shared a three-shot lead after 54 holes six times in his career. Only one of those leads has led to a win -- the 2002 Sony Open. But this year 13 of the 16 players who have been up by three going into the final round have won.
"You know, I've got a swing that's not new, but it hasn't really been tested as much as I'd like to have it tested," said Kelly, who made two birdies on the front nine and one on the back. "That's because I haven't played well in the last few years."
His only goal Saturday was to be comfortable, said Kelly, who withdrew from the Verizon Heritage last week because of the flu and a dislocated rib that caused severe back pain. "I'm not going to force shots."
When he got into trouble Saturday, Kelly said he "played smart." He credited that -- and an improved, but not perfect, swing -- with his spot at the top of the leaderboard.
Kelly had a 13-under 203 total at TPC Louisiana after opening with rounds of 68 and 66.
Steve Marino made the strongest move of the day, using eight birdies to offset two bogeys and a double bogey. Marino moved to 11 under before a bogey on the par-5 18th dropped him to 10 under, which was still good enough to give him sole possession of second place.
To read the remainder of this story, click here.
INSIDE THE ROPES WITH THE PGA TOUR NETWORK
PGA TOUR Network correspondent Michael Collins offers these observations from Saturday's action. Listen to PGA TOUR Live coverage on XM 146/SIRIUS 209 or right here at PGATOUR.COM.
What was the first thing Jerry Kelly wanted as soon as he walked off the 18th green before even reaching the scoring trailer?
"E!" Kelly yelled to his caddie, "Make sure they get me a half dozen of those char-grilled oysters in here while I sign my card. I saw Tommy (Fonseca) on 18 and he said he'd meet you."
He shot a bogey-free 69 -- with a big par save at the 18th hole -- and his first thought was getting some New Orleans food in his belly. I'd say Jerry Kelly's mind is in the right place going into Sunday with a three-shot lead.
The wind that was expected to be over 25 miles per hour all afternoon never showed up, but the inconsistency of a breeze that would blow 20 mph then back off to 5 mph seemed to confuse some of the guys on the course. It also kept scoring relatively low compared to the first two days. With a chance (60 percent) of showers projected for Sunday, scoring could be better if the rain comes and softens the greens a little.
Even if we get a few sprinkles, it won't dampen the atmosphere at the course where the billboards all week read, "They Putt, You Party!" Amen.
| Top 5 notables at Zurich Classic of New Orleans | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Saturday's Best |
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The 561-yard par-5 seventh hole was easiest with a Saturday scoring average of 4.514.
The 492-yard par-4 12th was toughest with a Saturday scoring average of 4.375.
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On the par-5 18th hole, Ian Poulter chipped in for eagle from the bunker to make it back to even par for his round. 
Lucas Glover's 6-under 66 propelled him from a tie for 55th into a tie for 15th. He had just one bogey on his card. | QUOTE OF THE DAY | ||||||||||
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THIRD-ROUND NOTEBOOK: ZURICH CLASSIC
By Joe Chemycz, PGA TOUR Staff
AVONDALE, La. -- Jerry Kelly (69-203) is at 13-under par and owns a three-stroke lead heading into Sunday's final round. Kelly is seeking his third career win. Both of Kelly's career victories came during the 2002 season. His last win came on July 7, 2002, at the Advil Western Open -- or 6 years, 9 months and 18 days ago.
• Kelly had to withdraw from last week's Verizon Heritage because of a dislocated rib. It was the first time Kelly had withdrawn from a tournament since the 2005 84 LUMBER Classic.
• Kelly will take a three-stroke lead into the final day. In the past eight years, only two 54-hole leaders have gone on to win this event: Chris Couch in 2006 and Nick Watney in 2007.
• Kelly's three-stroke lead is the largest 54-hole lead in this event since Calvin Peete owned a five-shot advantage back in 1986. Peete went on to win by five strokes.
• Kelly becomes the fourth player in the past 20 years of this event to take a three-stroke lead into the final round. The others who owned similar leads did not fare so well. In 2003, Scott Verplank shot 74 and finished two shots back; in 2001, Phil Mickelson shot 72 and finished 2 shots back; and in 1991, Jim Hallet shot 70 and lost a playoff to Ian Woosnam.
• To read the remainder of this story, click here.
| Live Essentials | ||||
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KODAK CHALLENGE: The first-of-its-kind competition for PGA TOUR players continues at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
The Kodak Challenge celebrates beautiful holes and memorable moments on the PGA TOUR. The Kodak Challenge offers $1 million to the winner. There will be one designated Kodak Challenge Hole at 24 different PGA TOUR tournaments in 2009, with this week's featured hole the 215-yard par-3 17th.
Players, who must play at least 18 of the holes during the season to be eligible, will count their lowest score relative to par on the Kodak Challenge Hole made during an official competition round. The player, with the lowest cumulative score in relation to par at the end of the challenge, wins.
• For more on the Kodak Challenge, click here.
| This week's Kodak Challenge hole | |
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| This week at the Kodak Challenge hole | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Round-by-round statistics on the par-3 17th at TPC Louisiana | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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