Ahern atop leaderboard at Tradition

ALOHA, Ore., Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Jim Ahern had three straight birdies on the back nineSaturday and grabbed a one-stroke lead heading into the final round of The Tradition.

Seeking his first major championship, Ahern climbed past Tom Watson with a second straight 4-under-par 68 and has a 54-hole total of 14-under-par 202.

Watson started the day with a four-stroke lead but stumbled to a 73 that included his first four bogeys of the tournament. He slid into a three-way tie for second place with Tom Kite and Morris Hatalsky.

Hale Irwin is two shots back after a 2-under 70 as the winningest player in Champions Tour history seeks his second victory of the season.