Leonard closes in on Texas title

Leonard is holding on in Texas

Texas Open

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American Justin Leonard shot a 68 to take a two-stroke lead into the final round of the Texas Open.

The defending champion fended off the challenge from Matt Kuchar, who fired a 64 to move into second.

Carl Paulson (68) was a further stroke back on 200, two ahead of Tom Scherrer, JJ Henry and first round leader Marco Dawson.

"I feel like I have a lot of work to do to close the deal, but I like the position I've put myself in," said Leonard.

Leonard's overnight three-shot lead was reduced to one after reaching the turn in 35.

But birdies at the 10th, 12th and 15th saved the round.

"I didn't play as well as I did the first couple of days, but I still have a lead and that's where I want to be," said Leonard.

Kuchar, who has recorded top 24 finishes in the US Open and US Masters as an amateur was delighted with his form.

"It will be exciting to be in the final group on the last day," said Kuchar.

"I remember when I was in the next-to-last group on Saturday of the US Open (1998) and that was one of my biggest thrills."

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Leading scores after the secong round of the PGA Tour Texas Open (US unless stated):

197 J Leonard 65 64 68

199 M Kuchar 67 68 64

200 C Paulson 66 66 68

202 T Scherrer 69 66 67, J J Henry 70 64 68, M Dawson 64 68 70

203 C Franco (Par) 68 70 65, T Tolles 68 69 66

204 K Yokoo (Jpn) 67 69 68, L Mattiace 67 70 67, B Geiberger 67 69 68, B Estes 67 68 69, J Parnevik (Swe) 67 66 71, J Williamson 65 68 71

205 C Howell III 70 68 67, J Brigman 67 71 67, H Slocum 69 68 68, B Burns 66 72 67, K J Choi (SKo) 68 69 68, P Stankowski 69 70 66, S Elkington (Aus) 67 70 68, D Frost (Rsa) 70 65 70, B May 68 66 71, T Isenhour 68 65 72

206 F Nobilo (Nzl) 67 73 66, J Haas 68 67 71, T Herron 69 68 69, C Perks (Nzl) 67 69 70, P Goydos 70 66 70, J Edwards 67 71 68, D Dunakey 69 69 68, J Smith 68 69 69

207 D Ellis 70 66 71, DA Weibring 71 68 68, S McCarron 66 70 71, T Byrum 68 71 68, H Sutton 69 69 69, A Magee 69 69 69, C Riley 71 67 69, G Hnatiuk (Can) 68 70 69

208 P-U Johansson 70 68 70, J Ogilvie 73 65 70, J McGovern 68 68 72, D Gossett 67 72 69, JL Lewis 71 68 69, P Casey 71 69 68

209 M Muehr 71 67 71, J Quinney 69 68 72, L Mize 67 71 71, J D Blake 69 69 71, L Porter 69 70 70, P Jordan 70 69 70, D Ogrin 69 67 73, B Gay 68 71 70, B Chamblee 66 70 73, E Toledo (Mex) 69 71 69

210 D Stockton 70 68 72, G Kraft 72 66 72, R Beem 70 67 73, S Simpson 71 68 71, S Allan 71 68 71, B Jobe 69 70 71, R Gamez 69 71 70, J Riegger 69 71 70, P Tataurangi 70 70 70, J Kaye 69 71 70, G Nicklaus 71 69 70

211 B Cheesman 69 70 72

212 J Maggert 71 69 72

213 L Donald (Gbr) 67 70 76, D Waldorf 70 69 74, R Freeman 67 73 73, M Brooks 69 71 73

214 L Glover 70 70 74, T Armour III 68 72 74

215 D Paulson 69 70 76, R Coughlan 72 68 75

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