Golf: Billy Hurley III extends lead to 2 at Greenbrier Classic
White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. • Billy Hurley III doesn't plan to lose much rest sitting on a third-round lead for the first time on the PGA Tour.
The former U.S. Navy officer shot a 3-under 67 on Saturday to extend his advantage to two strokes over Angel Cabrera entering the final round of the Greenbrier Classic.
"I've been working for a long time to win on the PGA Tour," Hurley said. "I figure if I shoot the lowest score tomorrow, I can't lose."
Hurley never relinquished the lead he has held since midway through the second round at Old White TPC. He birdied the par-5 12th and par-4 13th before dropping a stroke on the par-3 15th.
He had a 12-under 198 total. No third-round leader has won the Greenbrier Classic, now in its fifth year. Playoffs have decided the tournament twice.
Cabrera shot 64. He's looking for his first non-major win on the PGA Tour. Kevin Chappell was third at 9 under after a 69. Steve Stricker had a 68 to top the group at 8 under.
There will be more than a trophy to raise and a $1.2 million winner's check available Sunday. The four best finishers not previously eligible for the British Open among the top 12 on the final leaderboard will earn spots in the July 17-20 tournament at Royal Liverpool.
Hurley finished his five-year Navy service in 2009 and would still be a naval officer if golf wasn't keeping him busy. He returned to the PGA Tour this year after playing on the Web.com Tour in 2013.
He said nerves won't play a part in how he gets ready for what could be a memorable Sunday.
"I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing," he said. "I just want to put my mind in position so that I can play well. I slept fine last night. The benefit of the Navy is you learn how to sleep anywhere. I think I'll sleep fine tonight, too."
Cabrera wore an Argentine blue shirt in the third round and is riding his country's momentum in the World Cup, including Saturday's 1-0 win over Belgium to advance to the semifinal round.
"I was very happy when I found out they won," Cabrera said, adding that he was equally as giddy when he started his round with four birdies on the first six holes. Saturday's scores
Greenbrier Classic
At The Old White TPC
White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.
Purse • $6.5 million
Yardage • 7,287; Par • 70
Third round
Billy Hurley III 68-63-67—198 -12
Angel Cabrera 68-68-64—200 -10
Kevin Chappell 67-65-69—201 -9
Michael Thompson 66-72-64—202 -8
Cameron Tringale 72-66-64—202 -8
Will Wilcox 68-69-65—202 -8
Joe Durant 65-71-66—202 -8
Camilo Villegas 68-67-67—202 -8
Steve Stricker 66-68-68—202 -8
Chris Stroud 66-66-70—202 -8
Jim Renner 65-70-68—203 -7
Bill Haas 69-70-65—204 -6
Hudson Swafford 72-67-65—204 -6
David Hearn 68-68-68—204 -6
Luke Guthrie 67-69-68—204 -6
Bubba Watson 68-67-69—204 -6
David Lingmerth 67-68-69—204 -6
Troy Matteson 72-61-71—204 -6
Davis Love III 67-73-65—205 -5
Steve Marino 69-70-66—205 -5
Kyle Stanley 71-68-66—205 -5
Andrew Loupe 69-69-67—205 -5
Brendon Todd 71-67-67—205 -5
Jason Bohn 65-72-68—205 -5
Jonas Blixt 64-73-68—205 -5
Robert Allenby 67-70-68—205 -5
George McNeill 70-67-68—205 -5
Keegan Bradley 67-69-69—205 -5
J.B. Holmes 68-68-69—205 -5
Sang-Moon Bae 66-74-66—206 -4
Trevor Immelman 69-70-67—206 -4
Scott Langley 68-71-67—206 -4
Michael Putnam 67-72-67—206 -4
Richard H. Lee 71-68-67—206 -4
Troy Merritt 66-72-68—206 -4
Charles Howell III 67-71-68—206 -4
David Toms 69-69-68—206 -4
Oliver Goss 70-68-68—206 -4
Matt Bettencourt 70-68-68—206 -4
Patrick Cantlay 69-68-69—206 -4
Bronson La'Cassie 70-66-70—206 -4
Brice Garnett 68-66-72—206 -4
Shawn Stefani 73-67-67—207 -3
Webb Simpson 71-69-67—207 -3
Andres Romero 72-68-67—207 -3
Heath Slocum 70-69-68—207 -3
Brendon de Jonge 70-69-68—207 -3
Tom Watson 71-68-68—207 -3
Justin Leonard 71-67-69—207 -3
Bud Cauley 69-68-70—207 -3
Kevin Na 66-70-71—207 -3
Charlie Beljan 67-69-71—207 -3
Patrick Reed 67-69-71—207 -3