Coody clings to lead in Kentucky

WASHINGTON: Pierceson Coody shook off a slow start, picking up four strokes on the back nine in a four-under 68 that left him with a one-stroke lead Saturday going into the final round of the US PGA Tour ISCO Championship in Nicholasville, Kentucky.

The 24-year-old rookie, who led by three after the first round and by two after the second, had three birdies and three bogeys on the front nine and had fallen off the pace at Keene Trace Golf Club.

But he rolled in a six-foot eagle putt at the par-five 11th, birdied the par-five 15th and drained a 19-foot birdie at 17 to top the leaderboard on 20-under 196. He was one stroke in front of England´s Harry Hall, who carded a 64, and Rico Hoey of the Philippines, who shot 67.