CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Billy Mayfair has a two-shot lead going into the final round of the Quail Hollow Championship, a position that seemed unlikely when he was racing to the golf course to make his tee time for a Monday qualifier.
Mayfair never lost the lead during a mad scramble to catch him Saturday, finishing with two strong pars for a 1-under-par 71 that gave him the lead over Masters champ Phil Mickelson and Davis Love III.
Mickelson, in his first start since winning his third Masters, escaped with par on the final hole with a tricky two-putt from 60 feet and a 71. Love birdied three of his last five holes for a 4-under 68 and today will play in the final group with Mayfair. Mayfair was at 9-under 207.
• Ai Miyazato moved into position for her third LPGA Tour victory of the season, shooting a 2-under 71 to take a two-stroke lead over long-hitting playing partners Michelle Wie (73) and Brittany Lincicome ( 72) at the Tres Marias Championship in Morelia, Mexico.
• David Frost shot a 6-under 66 to match the course record and join Brad Bryant (68) and David Eger (68) atop the Champions Tour leaderboard at 8-under in the inaugural Mississippi Gulf Resort Classic in Saucier.
• Mark Foster of England shot a 3-under 69 to take a three-shot lead after the third round of the Spanish Open in Seville.
Saints accused of pain-pill theft coverup
NEW ORLEANS — Less than three months after their thrilling victory in the Super Bowl, the New Orleans Saints have been accused by their former security director of trying to cover up the theft of prescription pain pills from the club’s drug locker.
One of those involved was head coach Sean Payton, two people familiar with the case told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. Payton and the Saints denied the allegations.
Staal recovering from surgery
PITTSBURGH — Penguins center Jordan Staal had surgery for a lacerated tendon in his right foot, but coach Dan Bylsma is hopeful the Selke Trophy finalist will be back during the NHL playoffs.
• Montreal Canadiens defenseman Andrei Markov returned to Montreal to be examined by doctors after apparently injuring his right knee during Game 1 of the team’s series against Pittsburgh.
Footnotes.
Boulder’s Taylor Phinney beat seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong and a number of other high-profile cyclists to win the fourth stage of the Tour of the Gila in Silver City, N.M. Levi Leipheimer retained his overall lead in the five-day event.
• Rafael Nadal defeated Ernests Gulbis 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 to advance to the finals of the Rome Masters. David Ferrer defeated Fernando Verdasco 7-5, 6-3 in the other semi.
• Justine Henin beat Shahar Peer 6-3, 6-2 to reach the final at the Porsche Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany, where she will face Samantha Stosur, who beat qualifier Anna Lapushchenkova 7-5, 6-3.
• Motocross star Andrew McFarlane died of serious head injuries after crashing during a practice lap at an Australian national championship meet in Victoria State.
The Associated Press
