BEACHWOOD, Ohio — After failing to win in 271 PGA Tour events, Michael Allen figures he's due.

Getting a fresh start in his senior debut, Allen shot a 3-under 67 yesterday for a one-shot lead over Jeff Sluman and Tom Kite through three rounds in the Senior PGA Championship.

"These guys are great players and they have beaten me for a long time, but maybe it's my turn," said Allen, who stands at 3-under 207 through 54 holes.

Allen, who turned 50 in January, is an unlikely leader in the tour's first major championship of the year. He swore he won't be shaken by the major champions and perennial winners who are chasing him.

"I'm certainly not intimidated. I guess when you're 50 you kind of lose some of that," he said. "Out here I played with most all these guys for years and I know them all pretty well. If there's any intimidation, I'm more intimidated by the factors of winning tournaments than I am playing with the guys."

Sluman had the lead to himself before bogeying the 16th and 18th holes, completing a 70 that left him tied with Kite, who bogeyed the final two holes for a 69.

"Pretty sadistic finish, those last couple of holes," Kite said. "Obviously, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth for a little while. But there's some range balls out there that I'll beat some frustration out on. Then we'll be ready to go tomorrow."

CORNING CLASSIC

TWO TIED ATOP IN LPGA

CORNING, N.Y. — Rookie Mika Miyazato of Japan and Soo-Yun Kang of South Korea share the lead after three rounds at the LPGA Corning Classic.

Miyazato shot a 10-under 62 and Kang had a 65 yesterday. Their score of 17-under 199 ties the tournament record for low 54-hole total. They were one stroke ahead of South Korea's Yani Tseng, who shot a 62 for 200.

"It's not easy," said Miyazato, who nevertheless made it look that way with six birdie putts from 6 feet or closer. "I think a little bit nervous tomorrow."

Punahou alum and Stanford sophomore Michelle Wie shot a 68 and was tied for 39th at 208.

PGA

SHOOTOUT IN BYRON NELSON

IRVING, Texas — Rory Sabbatini and John Mallinger are set to play another round together as leaders at the Byron Nelson Championship.

The second-round co-leaders shot 5-under 65s yesterday to share the lead again after three rounds. They are at 13-under 197 and two strokes ahead of three other players.

Sabbatini, a four-time Tour winner, was even through four holes before closing his front nine with four birdies.

Mallinger enjoyed a bogey-free round. He is in his 77th PGA Tour event and seeking his first victory.

BMW PGA

CASEY LEADS IN ENGLAND

VIRGINIA WATER, England — Paul Casey shot a 5-under 67 yesterday to open up a three-shot lead after the third round of the BMW PGA Championship.

Casey missed 4-foot birdie putts on the last two holes but still had a 54-hole total of 13-under 203. Soren Kjeldsen holed a 30-foot putt from across the final green for a birdie to finish with a 68 and moved into second place.