Simpson leads Casey, Lee by two after 54 holes at Colonial

FORT WORTH, Texas: Webb Simpson lipped-out a birdie chance at the final hole and had to settle for a two-stroke lead over Paul Casey and Danny Lee after the third round of the Dean & DeLuca Invitational in Fort Worth, Texas on Saturday.

2012 US Open champion Simpson’s 15-foot putt was headed for the centre of the hole but broke sharply at the end, caught the low side of the cup and spun out.

But that was about the only lament the American had after carding 67 to post a nine-under-par 201 total on another breezy day at Colonial Country Club. “I’m happy with the day,” Simpson, a four-times PGA Tour winner, told PGATour.com. “I kept the ball in the fairway, putted well, putted consistent. I’m trying to shoot under-par every day and today was another good one.”

Englishman Casey (68) and South Korean-born New Zealander Lee (69) were the closest pursuers on seven-under after finding the final green less frustrating, both making birdie. Americans Stewart Cink (66) and Kevin Kisner (70) were three off the pace, while defending champion Jordan Spieth (68) and Masters champion Sergio Garcia (71) were five behind.

Spieth played the final seven-plus holes with a stand-in caddie after his regular looper Michael Greller fell ill in the oppressive heat. — Reuters