Pernice leads PGA Buick Open by one shot

GRAND BLANC, Mich., June 30 (UPI) -- Tom Pernice Jr. turned in a 6-under 66 Saturday to take a one-stroke lead over three runners-up after three rounds of the Buick Open at Grand Blanc, Mich.

Pernice finished 54 holes at 13-under 203. Brian Bateman (69), Jesper Parnevik (64) and Scott Verplank (69) were at 204.

Jim Furyk and Kenny Perry, who shared the second-round lead, had rounds of 1-under 71 Saturday. They are tied for fifth with Fredrik Jacobson (67), Woody Austin (69) and Tripp Isenhour (66) at 11-under-205.

Pernice, 47, opened the third round tied for 10th and got off to a slow start Saturday through 12 holes.

"It was a little bit of a struggle on the front nine," Pernice said. "I've been driving the ball in the fairway pretty regularly but I struggled with driving in the fairway."

Pernice, the 1999 Buick Open winner, hit the par-five 13th green in two shots and then made his eagle putt.