Pepper Stays Hot

Dottie Pepper, bidding for her fifth victory in her last nine LPGA tour events, responded to her lone miscue with three consecutive birdies, propelling her to a 4-under-par 68 and a two-shot lead heading into today’s final round of the Fieldcrest Cannon Classic at Cornelius, N.C.

Closest to Pepper, who finished three tours of the 6,318-yard layout in 13-under 203, were Dale Eggeling, defending champion Gail Graham and Kim Saiki, all at 205. Clarkston’s Robin Walton shot a 77 and was at 219.

For the first time in five years, the PGA Tour may have two consecutive 54-hole events.

The third round of the Buick Challenge was halted by rain before any of the leaders could get on the course at Pine Mountain, Ga. Five players are tied for the top spot, including defending champ Fred Funk.

Funk won the B.C. Open last week in a one-hole playoff after rain washed out the final round.

J.C. Snead, who has won more than $645,000 on the Senior Tour this season, birdied four of his final eight holes in swirling winds and under threatening skies at Clemmons, N.C., to take a one-shot lead after two rounds of the $1.5 million Vantage Championship.