Moore shoots into John Deere lead

LOS ANGELES — American Ryan Moore completed a six-under-par 65 as darkness fell in Silvis, Illinois, Saturday to carry a one-shot lead into Sunday’s final round of the weather-hit John Deere Classic. On a long day at soggy TPC Deere Run, where the second round was completed early Saturday, Moore and his playing partners hustled through their last holes in fading light to avoid an early wake-up call to finish the third round Sunday. It was the second 65 shot by Moore on Saturday as he never got on the course on Friday because of the rain delays. In the third round, Moore held off spirited charges by compatriots Ben Martin and Morgan Hoffmann, who both recorded nine-under-par 62s to reach 17-under 196 for a share of second place, three shots better than Johnson Wagner. “It is dark,” said Hoffmann, who finished earlier than Moore. “It is really dark, and the last few greens are getting really soft and bumpy, too, so it was hard to read.” Aided by the glow of light coming off the giant electronic scoreboards alongside the 18th green, Moore had a chance to gain one more stroke but lipped out his birdie putt at the last. Low scores were readily available on the softened course where players were allowed preferred lies after 3.5 inches (8.9 cm) of rain drenched the layout over a 24-hour period. Martin took advantage by starting the third round with five straight birdies and then closed with birdies on four of his last five holes. He rolled in a 44-footer from short of the green for a final birdie at the last. Hoffmann, seeking his first PGA Tour win, briefly tied Moore for the lead late in the round as he rocketed up the leaderboard with six birdies in a row from the 11th before Moore birdied the 16th to regain the sole lead. Jimenez takes Senior’s lead In Ohio, Miguel Angel Jimenez was back on top on a Saturday, this time in the US Senior Open at difficult Scioto County Club. The 52-year-old Spanish player was looking for a better late Sunday afternoon result after missing chances in his last two events. Jimenez put himself in position to break out of the title funk Saturday, finishing off a 1-under 69 in gusty wind and sheets of rain to take a one-stroke lead. He was in a lot better shape in Scotland and Minnesota in the last two tournaments — and came up empty. Jimenez had a 3-under 207 total on Jack Nicklaus’ boyhood course. Gene Sauers was second after a 71. Ian Woosnam (70), Loren Roberts (70) and senior newcomer Billy Mayfair (75) were tied for third at 1 over. First-round leader Vijay Singh was 6 over, following his opening 66 with two 75s.