1 Feb 2009

Perry takes lead at Phoenix Open

1:43 pm on 1 February 2009

The American golfer Kenny Perry rolled in a dramatic 32-foot birdie putt at the 18th hole to grab a one-shot lead after three rounds of the Phoenix Open.

Two off the pace overnight, the PGA Tour veteran ended a day of ideal scoring conditions with a birdie-birdie finish for a five-under-par 66 and a 12-under total of 201.

Little-known American Scott Piercy, who briefly led by four strokes after piling up eight birdies in the first 13 holes, lost momentum late in the round to card a matching 66 for second place.