Sabbatini takes Texas lead

Sabbatini: Enjoying it

Third-round leaderboard:
US unless stated
R Sabbatini (SA) -14
Z Johnson -13
T Wilkinson (NZ) -11
T Herron -11
C Stroud -11

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• Texas Open Collated Scores
• World Rankings
• Golf live on Sky Sports

A seven-under-par 63 from Rory Sabbatini allowed him to move to the top of the leaderboard after the third round of the Texas Open.

The South African carded an eagle, six birdies and one bogey to reach a 14-under-par total at La Cantera Golf Club's Resort Course.

Sabbatini therefore lies one stroke ahead of Zach Johnson, who placed himself right in contention after putting together for a flawless round of 62.

Tim Wilkinson, Tim Herron and Chris Stroud lie three strokes back on 11 under.

New Zealander Wilkinson carded eight birdies for a 63, Herron fired a 67 and Stroud, who held a two-stroke overnight lead, shot 69.

Sabbatini began his day with a birdie and then made pars at the next eight holes to reach the turn at one under.

He really turned on the style coming home, picking up six strokes in all, with an eagle coming at the par-four 11th before three consecutive birdies starting at the 13th.

Yet another birdie at the 18th allowed Sabbatini to take the outright lead from Johnson.

"It's always fun to be in the lead but, you know, that's the beauty of golf," Sabbatini said. "Every time you tee it up on Thursday you're tied for the lead. It has been a good week and I'm enjoying it."

Frustrating

The four-time PGA Tour winner, whose last victory came at the 2007 Colonial, also admitted he had hitherto suffered a frustrating season.

"It has just been a matter of trying to be patient," he added. "I'm not the most patient person with it, and it has been kind of a tough experience for me, but maybe something to learn from and grow on."

Beginning the day in a tie for 22nd place, 2007 Masters champion Johnson birdied his first two holes, before adding three more on the front nine and another three on the back nine to take the clubhouse lead.

Johnson, who is playing for the first time since missing the cut at the Barclays in August, has also had a disappointing 2008 season and said he has recently been working on the fundamentals of his game.

"I just want to gain some confidence in my game," Johnson said. "My caddie has been very encouraged, I just haven't seen the results...I'm just trying to work on the present and things are starting to go my way."

Having barely made the cut, defending champion Justin Leonard made a move up the leaderboard in the third round with a 64 to improve to seven-under.