Golf: Brandt Snedeker has win in sight at Pebble Beach

Pebble Beach, Calif. • Brandt Snedeker had his ninth straight round in the 60s on Saturday. One more like that and he might really have reason to celebrate.

Snedeker ran off four straight birdies along the prettiest part of Pebble Beach for a 4-under 68, giving him a share of the lead with 31-year-old rookie James Hahn going into the final round of the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

A runner-up in consecutive weeks to Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, this time the spotlight belongs to Snedeker.

"You never know what tomorrow holds, but I feel like I'm in great position, and I'm going to be surely more prepared, no matter who is around me in the last group," Snedeker said. "I'm probably going to have the most experience of anybody in those last couple groups of winning a golf tournament."

Hahn had a 66 at Spyglass Hill, making birdie on the last three holes to join Snedeker at 12-under 202. For all the celebrity antics that are part of the Saturday show at Pebble Beach, the video most likely to go viral belonged to Mickelson. The defending champion took a spill on the rocks below the 18th fairway. Mickelson was looking to see if his tee shot could be found — and played — when his right foot gave way and he landed hard on his back side.

"I got lucky," Mickelson said. "I didn't get hurt."

Mickelson hit his next shot into the Pacific Ocean and had to scramble for a triple bogey, leaving him 11 shots behind.

Champions Tour

Rocco Mediate shot an 11-under 61, setting a course record and building a three-shot lead over Tom Pernice Jr. heading into the final round of the Allianz Championship at Boca Raton, Fla. Mediate is trying to become the 16th player to win his first start on the Champions Tour. —

Leaderboard

Pebble Beach National Pro-Am

Brandt Snedeker -12

James Hahn -12

Chris Kirk -11

Patrick Reed -10

Also

Mike Weir -3

Phil Mickelson -1

Failed to qualify

Daniel Summerhays +3