WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. -- Billy Hurley III doesn't plan to lose much rest sitting on a third-round lead for the first time on the PGA Tour.
The former U.S. Navy officer shot a 3-under 67 on Saturday to extend his advantage to two strokes over Angel Cabrera entering the final round of the Greenbrier Classic.
"I've been working for a long time to win on the PGA Tour," Hurley said. "I figure if I shoot the lowest score ..., I can't lose."
Hurley never relinquished the lead he has held since midway through the second round at Old White TPC. He birdied the par-5 12th and par-4 13th before dropping a stroke on the par-3 15th.
He had a 12-under 198 total. No third-round leader has won the Greenbrier Classic, now in its fifth year. Playoffs have decided the tournament twice.
Cabrera, a former Masters and U.S. Open winner, shot 64. He's looking for his first non-major victory on the PGA Tour.
Kevin Chappell was third at 9 under after a 69. Steve Stricker had a 68 to top the group at 8 under.
There will be more than a trophy to raise and a $1.2 million winner's check available today. The four best finishers not previously eligible for the British Open among the top 12 on the final leaderboard will earn spots in the July 17-20 tournament at Royal Liverpool.
Hurley finished his five-year Navy service in 2009 and would still be a naval officer if it weren't for golf keeping him busy. He returned to the PGA Tour this year after playing on the Web.com Tour in 2013.
He said nerves won't play a part in how he gets ready for what could be a memorable Sunday.
"I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing," he said. "I just want to put my mind in position so that I can play well. I slept fine last night. The benefit of the Navy if you learn how to sleep anywhere. I think I'll sleep fine tonight, too."
Cabrera wore a blue shirt in support of Argentina, his home country, in the World Cup, and celebrated Saturday's 1-0 victory over Belgium to advance to the semifinal round.
"I was very happy when I found out they won," Cabrera said, adding that he was also pleased to start his round with four birdies on the first six holes.
Old White sets up nicely for Cabrera's long drives and he made four birdie putts of 19 feet or longer.
"I was able to get the speed of the greens, and that was the big difference," Cabrera said.
Cabrera was the second-round leader at the Wells Fargo Championship in May, but closed with two 75s to fall out of contention.
Another under-par round today would mark the first time that he has had four rounds in the 60s since the 2010 Deutsche Bank Championship.
Joining Stricker in the group at 8 under were Michael Thompson (64), Cameron Tringale (64), Will Wilcox (65), Joe Durant (66), Camilo Villegas (67) and Chris Stroud (70).
David Lingmerth (Arkansas Razorbacks) shot a 1-under 69 and is tied for 12th at 6 under, 6 shots off the lead.
Ken Duke (Arkadelphia, Henderson State) is tied for 61st with a three-day, 1-under 209. Duke shot an even-par round of 70 on Saturday. His round included 3 birdies, 1 bogey and 1 double bogey on No. 16, a hole he has played at 5 over during the first three rounds.
John Daly (Dardanelle, Arkansas Razorbacks) and Scott Gardiner (Farmington) made the two-day cut but were 2 of 15 golfers who will not play today. Daly shot a 1-over 71 that included 4 birdies, 2 bogeys and a triple bogey on No. 16. Gardiner shot a 5-over 75.
EUROPEAN TOUR
Stadler increases lead
SAINT-QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES, France -- American Kevin Stadler shot a 1-over 72 in windy and rainy conditions to increase his French Open lead to four strokes.
Stadler, the Phoenix Open winner in February, had a 9-under 204 total on Le Golf National's Albatross Course, the site of the 2018 Ryder Cup.
Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee (69) and France's Victor Riu (73) were tied for second. U.S. Open champion Martin Kaymer (70) was fourth, six strokes behind Stadler.
WEB.COM TOUR
Third round postponed
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia -- High wind from Tropical Storm Arthur forced Web.comTour officials to postpone the third round of the Nova Scotia Open.
Environment Canada measured wind gusts topping 72 mph in Halifax.
The tour will try to complete 36 holes today at Ashburn Golf Club. Canada's Roger Sloan and Mexico's Jose de Jesus Rodriguez shared the second-round lead at 10-under 132.
Sports on 07/06/2014