Appleby takes two-shot lead

KAPALUA, Hawaii -- Whether they change the greens or change the calendar, it doesn't seem to matter to Stuart Appleby. Whenever he gets to Kapalua for the Mercedes Championships, he looks unstoppable.

On another blustery day that severely tested the 28-man field of last year's PGA Tour winners, Appleby was steady as ever yesterday and birdied three of his last six holes for a 3-under-par 70 and a two-shot lead over US Open champion Michael Campbell.

Appleby was an inch from the green on the 663-yard closing hole, gently rolled a putt to tap-in range for birdie, and walked off the Plantation Course at 6-under 213, in prime position to become the first player in nearly 50 years to win the winners-only event three straight times.

Campbell overcame a sluggish start by playing bogey-free over the final 12 holes and shot 71, putting him in the final group with Appleby for the second straight day.

Jim Furyk, a past winner at Kapalua, birdied the two par 5s coming in for a 72 and was at 3-under 216.

Vijay Singh (74) and Sergio Garcia (73) each birdied the last hole to get to 218.