Patient Pernice moves closer to breaking 7-year jinx

On a wild day for everyone around him, Tom Pernice Jr. kept it steady and simple Saturday for a 1-under-par 69 in the AT&T National at Bethesda, Md., that gave him a one-shot lead and a chance to win for the first time in seven years.

Pernice seized the lead, but not control, with an approach that stopped just inside 3 feet at the 17th for only his second birdie on a steamy, still afternoon that yielded plenty of low scores. He was at 10-under 200 and was one shot ahead of Steve Stricker, the runner-up a year ago, who had a 66.

Stricker was among four players who had at least a share of the lead throughout the third round, but he hit a 7-iron over the 17th green and caught the lip with a 12-foot par putt from the fringe.

Jeff Overton, tied with Pernice to start the third round, salvaged a 71, leaving him at 8-under 202 with Tommy Armour III (66) and Nick O’Hern (67).

LPGA

Angela Park’s final putt was as impressive as her round – an uphill birdie attempt from about 25 feet that capped a 10-under 62.

Kristy McPherson answered Park with a birdie, sinking a downhill putt from the fringe, about 20 feet from the hole. The two playing partners were within a stroke of the lead in the second round of the LPGA Tour’s NW Arkansas Championship at Rogers, Ark.

Park and McPherson were at 11 under at Pinnacle Country Club. Meena Lee shot a 65 in the second round to finish the day at 12 under. She was tied for the lead with Eun-Hee Ji, who had two holes remaining in her second round.

About half the field was still on the course when play was suspended because of darkness. Among them, Wendy Ward of Edwall, Wash., was even par for the tourney with four holes to play in the second round.

Champions Tour

Argentina’s Eduardo Romero shot his second straight 7-under 65 to take a one-shot lead over Fulton Allem and crowd favorite Joey Sindelar in the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open at Endicott, N.Y.

Romero, who began the day two shots behind first-round leader Joe Ozaki, had 16 birdies and one double bogey over the two rounds and was at 14-under 130. Allem and Sindelar shot 65s. Ozaki (70) was fourth at 11 under.