Rookie Kirk on a mission

July 16, 2011

As the birdies mounted during Saturday's third round of the Viking Classic in Madison, Miss., it looked as if Chris Kirk could do just about anything he wanted at Annandale Golf Club. Golf isn't supposed to be this easy. But the 26-year-old PGA Tour rookie sure made it look that way.

"I would never call it easy," Kirk said. "But the conditions -- there hasn't been a whole lot of wind and the greens are just absolutely perfect. If you hit your putt on line, it's going to go in and that makes things a lot easier."

Kirk fired an 8-under-par 64 for a three-round 198 total and a one-stroke lead heading into Sunday's final round, just ahead of Sung-hoon Kang, D.J. Trahan, George McNeill and Peter Lonard, all tied for second.

Kirk made four birdies in a row on the back nine in an impressive showing for one of the tour's most successful rookies this season. He finished second behind Phil Mickelson at the Shell Houston Open and ranks 51st on the money list. He won two Nationwide Tour events in 2010, finishing second on the tour's money list to earn his PGA Tour card.

The Viking Classic leader board is dotted with younger players taking advantage of the best players attending the British Open. Kang, a 24-year-old South Korean, is also in his rookie year on the PGA Tour. He made the cut at the U.S. Open and finished a season-best 12th at the John Deere Classic last week. After a decent start to the season, Kang suffered through a brutal stretch during the spring, when he missed five straight cuts. He had a good excuse. He spent most of March serving in South Korea's military, which was mandatory. In the process, he lost 15 pounds.

Another PGA Tour rookie, Jim Renner, shot a 10-under 62 for the best round of the day.

Wagner leads Romo in celebrity tournament

Actor Jack Wagner extended his lead with four birdies and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo (70) had one of the best rounds of the day to move into second place Saturday at the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship at Lake Tahoe. Wagner followed an opening 68 with a 71 Saturday that translated into a two-day total of 52 points in the system that awards points for eagles, birdies and pars. Romo has 46 points and former quarterback Chris Chandler was next with 42 points.-- AP