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Tom Watson has 54-hole lead at British Open

TURNBERRY, Scotland, July 18 (UPI) -- Tom Watson is clinging to a one-stroke lead through 54 holes at the PGA Tour's British Open golf tournament in Turnberry, Scotland.

Watson, 59, shot 1-over-par 71 Saturday, but took advantage of the poorer rounds shot by earlier starters when he drained a long birdie putt at the 16th, two-putted for birdie at 17 and closed with a par. Watson had entered the day's play tied for first with Steve Marino.

His 54-hole total, 4-under 206, leads Ross Fisher (70) and unheralded Mathew Goggin (69).

"I wouldn't be here if I didn't think I could win," said Watson, who will attempt Sunday to win the Open Championship a sixth time. "I feel good about what I did today (and) I feel good about my game plan."

Lee Westwood (70) and Retief Goosen (71) share fourth place at 2-under 208.

Stuart Cink (71) and Jim Furyk (70) are tied for sixth at 1-under 209.

Marino shot a 76 and is 1-over 211, tied for 10th with Richard S. Johnson (69), Boo Weekley (72) and Angel Cabrera (72).

Benjamin wins Public Links crown

NORMAN, Okla., July 18 (UPI) -- Brad Benjamin beat Nick Taylor 7 & 6 in Saturday's 36-hole final to win the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship.

Benjamin defeated the stroke-play medalist and low amateur at last month's U.S. Open. Taylor trailed only briefly in his matches.

"I'm a little disappointed," Taylor said after the loss. "I played well the entire week, and to be in the final and lose is definitely disappointing. But Brad played unbelievable in the afternoon. Pretty much did to me what I did to the other guys coming in to this Match Play."

Benjamin parred the second to go 1-up, and then extended his lead thanks to wins at eight, 12 and 15. He was 4-up at the 18-hole break and continued to dominate play in the afternoon.

"That was the start I needed," said Benjamin, who earned a berth in next April's Masters. "Obviously the momentum could go his way."

Lickliter leads U.S. Bank Championship

MILWAUKEE, July 18 (UPI) -- Frank Lickliter shot a 7-under 63 Saturday to take a one-stroke lead after the third round of the U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee.

Lickliter finished 54 holes at 11-under 199. Overnight leader Greg Chalmers of Australia posted a 69 Saturday and dropped into second place at 10-under 200.

Jeff Maggert (66) and Chris Riley (68) are tied in third place at 201.

Lickliter has two PGA Tour victories -- 2001 at the TPC at Avenel and the 2003 Chrysler Classic of Tucson. Both came after he held a piece of the 54-hole lead.

"It's a combination of a lot of things," Lickliter said of his play this week. "Part of it is just having fun, enjoying hitting good golf shots, enjoying focusing and enjoying making birdies. I just tried to make every putt I could."

Brendon de Jonge (66), John Mallinger (66), Jeff Quinney (67) and Jeff Klauk (69) are tied fifth place 202.

Tour de France riders struck by pellets

COLMAR, France, July 18 (UPI) -- Tour de France riders from New Zealand and Spain were struck by BB's believed to have been fired from an air rifle, race officials say.

Pellets struck New Zealander Julian Dean and Spaniard Oscar Freire Friday as they were riding in a group of 20 to 30 cyclists at the back of the pack, a bit more three-quarters of the way into the 124-mile stage near Colmar, France, The New York Times reported.

Matt White, a race director for the Garmin team, told the Times Dean was bruised when hit in the right index finger, while Freire's team said the pellet that hit the Spanish rider embedded in his right leg and was removed by doctors.

Both riders finished the stage and said they would continue with the race, the newspaper reported. Tour de France officials said police were investigating the incident.

"It's not the worst thing I ever heard of, but it's definitely the weirdest," White told the Times, adding that in the past fans have thrown objects such as eggs at competitors.