Golf

Late birdies give Langham lead in Louisiana

By wire services
Published March 26, 2006

BROUSSARD, La. - Franklin Langham shot 1-under-par 70 on Saturday, giving him a one-stroke lead going into today's final round of the Nationwide Tour's $500,000 Chitimacha Louisiana Open.

After three rounds, Langham's 9-under 204 leads Chad Collins, who carded 68 Saturday, and Johnson Wagner, who shot a 69.

"It was a tough day," Langham, 37, told PGA.com. "I had trouble pulling clubs. The wind was up and down all day. I also didn't make as many putts as I did the first two days."

After bogeys on Nos. 10, 14 and 15, Langham birdied the Nos. 17 and 18 to gain sole possession of the lead with just 18 holes to play.

EUROPEAN PGA: Jean Van de Velde of France shot 1-under 71 Saturday to take a two-stroke lead after three rounds of the Madeira Island Open.

Van de Velde, at 11-under 205 for the tournament, leads Spaniard Pedro Linhart (69). Van de Velde captured his only European Tour victory in 1993 at the Roma Masters.

Bad weather at the Santo da Serra course caused a 4-hour delay in the morning.

[Last modified March 26, 2006, 00:26:15]