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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 2:50 p.m., Saturday, May 31, 2008

Golf: Goggin leads Memorial; McLachlin, Wilson far back

Associated Press

DUBLIN, Ohio — Mathew Goggin kept birdies and mistakes to a minimum on a long day today at the Memorial, shooting a 1-under 71 that was good enough to build a three-shot lead as he tries to win his first PGA Tour event.

Muirfield Village changed its character, but only slightly, thanks to a 2 1/2-hour rain delay that led to long shadows late in the third round. What didn't change was the rough and difficult conditions, and Goggin didn't have to do much to keep his lead.

He was at 8-under 208, the highest 54-hole score at Jack Nicklaus' event since Greg Norman won a rain-shortened tournament in 1990 at even-par 216.

Hawaii's two PGA Tour members, Parker McLachlin and Dean Wilson, were paired together for the third round.

McLachlin, a Punahou School alum, shot a 4-over-par 76 and is tied for 67th (out of 75) at 226. Wilson, a Castle High alum, shot an 11-over-par 83 and is tied for 75th place at 233.

Former Masters champion Mike Weir matched the best round of the day, a bogey-free 68 that put him at 5-under 211 and in the final group with Goggin, who has never had a 54-hole lead on the PGA Tour.

Matt Kuchar was among those going backward until holing out with a wedge for eagle on the 15th, following that with a birdie on the 16th and posting a 71 to join the large group in a tie for second.

Also at 211 was Justin Rose (70), who captured the European Tour Order of Merit last year but has yet to win on this side of the Atlantic; Jerry Kelly, whose superb ball-striking was wasted by 34 putts in his round of 73, and Kenny Perry, whose spirits were lifted with an 18-foot birdie on the last hole for a 74.