LOS ANGELES (AP) -Steve Stricker hit enough crisp irons and made his usual share of putts to pull away from the field at Riviera and build a five-shot lead going into the final day of the rain-delayed Northern Trust Open.
Stricker was at 14 under and had a 30-foot birdie putt on the 15th hole when it was too dark to continue Saturday. He will return Sunday morning to finish the third round.
Luke Donald finished his round at 5-under 66 just before the siren sounded and shared the clubhouse lead with J.B. Holmes (67) at 9-under 204. Andres Romero, playing in the final group with Stricker and 36-hole leader Dustin Johnson, also was at 9 under with four holes left.
George McNeill shot a 66 and was at 8-under 205. Johnson (four holes left) and Kevin Stadler (three holes left) also were 8 under. Phil Mickelson's hopes for a third straight victory appear over. He shot 71 and was 10 shots behind.
The tournament caught a huge break with the weather. A storm system off the California coast managed to dodge Riviera in the afternoon, leaving mostly sunny conditions and allowing for enough play that the tournament is expected to end Sunday.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - Spain's Alvaro Quiros shot a 5-under 67, and England's Lee Westwood and Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez had 68s for a share of the Dubai Desert Classic lead with Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee.
Thongchai shot a 69 to finish at 11-under 205. Defending champion Rory McIlroy was two shots back after a 69. Tom Watson was nine strokes back after a 71.
FINGAL, Australia (AP) - Chris Kirk shot a 7-under 65 in the Moonah Classic for a share of the third-round lead with fellow American Jim Herman.
Kirk, a former University of Georgia player in his third season on the Nationwide Tour, matched Herman at 9-under 207 on the Peter Thomson-designed Moonah Links. Herman shot a 75. He opened with a course-record 62 and had a 70 on Friday.
