Lehman has another chance to end drought

Tom Lehman gave himself a third straight chance at ending nearly five years of frustration, making two eagles yesterday to overcome a few glitches with the putter for a 5-under-par 67 that left him tied for the lead with Briny Baird in the Funai Classic at Disney in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Lehman was at 17-under 199, the third straight week he has had at least a share of the 54-hole lead, another opportunity to win for the first time since the 2000 Phoenix Open.

Baird, winless in 153 starts, missed a 10-foot birdie putt on the final hole for a 68. Scott Verplank (65) was one shot behind. Vijay Singh, the No. 1 player in golf going after his fourth straight PGA Tour victory, had three putts catch the lip on the final five holes and still shot a 65 to sit three shots back.

Champions -- Tom Kite was as steady as the rain, shooting even-par 72 (10-under 206) to take a two-stroke lead over Jose Maria Canizares (70) in a misty drizzle during the third round of the Charles Schwab Cup Championship in Sonoma, Calif., the season's last event. Hale Irwin made three early bogeys and struggled to a 2-over 74 and sits in third place. Nationwide -- Nick Watney shot a solid 7-under 64 (14-under 199) to take a two-shot lead over Chris Tidland (64) in the Miccosukee Championship in Miami.James Driscoll (68-66-70) of Chestnut Hill sits at 9-under 204, tied for seventh place. Driscoll is currently ninth on the money list, guaranteeing him a PGA Tour card for 2005.European -- Darren Fichardt had four birdies in a five-hole stretch on the way to a 4-under 67, grabbing a share of the lead with Paul Broadhurst (68) after the third round of the Madrid Open.. . .
Ernie Els has withdrawn from the Chrysler Championship at Tampa because of a hand injury.