Stelle leads by one over Chappell
Brendon Steele took the 54-hole lead at the Valero Texas Open by closing with birdies on his final two holes Saturday. Steele finished at 7 under 209 after a third-round 68 and leads by one over Cameron Tringale. Kevin Chappell and Brandt Snedeker share third at minus 5, while defending champion Adam Scott is another shot back along with Pat Perez and Charles Howell III.Steele took advantage of a tee on the par 4 17th that had been moved up and smart play at the par 5 18th to pick up two strokes on the closing holes.
“I hit driver right in the front in a perfect shot and just chipped it about two feet and hit a perfect drive on 18 but -- we had actually a good number to go for it but decided to play it a little more conservative and laid it up and it paid off, made about a 15-footer there for birdie,” Steele said.
The wind, which was a major factor during Friday’s second round, blew about 5-10 miles per hour less and that provided more opportunities for scoring.
“This golf course is tough just because it doesn't ever let up driving,” said Chappell. “You can make a big number on any hole. So it's exciting to be in the position I'm in but anyone within five, six shots of the lead can have a chance tomorrow if they can play a good round in the wind.”
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