Mediate in the driving seat at the GGCC

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Posted 8:11AM on Sunday, April 28, 2002

GREENSBORO - Rocco Mediate, putting nothing like his PGA Tour stats indicate, shot a 6-under-par 66 Saturday for a two-shot lead over Mark Calcavecchia heading into the final round of the Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic. Mediate, the winner in 1993, began the third round one stroke behind co-leaders Calcavecchia and Robert Gamez, but birdied his first three holes at Forest Oaks Country Club to tie for the lead. Mediate bogeyed his next two holes to fall from the top of the leaderboard as quickly as he got there. However, he rebounded on the back nine with three birdies in four holes, then sank a 20-footer on No. 18 for a 15-under total and an opportunity for his fifth PGA Tour victory Sunday. Mediate began the week 140th on tour in putting average, but needed just 25 putts in his third round and 77 so far after 54 holes. Calcavecchia began the day at 10 under and carded a 69 to stay close, getting a birdie on his final hole. Chad Campbell is two more shots back at 9 under after a 66, while Gamez, who hasn't won in 12 years, stumbled to a 73 and is in a fourth-place tie with Jonathan Kaye, six shots behind Mediate. Campbell started the day five shots back of the co-leaders, but birdied four of his first five holes to card and 30 on the front side, then closed out his round with a tap-in birdie on No. 18. Campbell earned his tour card after winning three times last year on the Buy.com Tour. The 27-year-old Campbell was in contention after three rounds earlier this season at Bay Hill, but closed with an 80. "Every time you get a chance to win, no matter where you're playing, it definitely helps," Campbell said. "Obviously, it's a little different out here, the players are the best in the world. But all the times you get up there you learn something different and it makes you feel a little more comfortable." Kaye, who has yet to win in five-plus seasons on tour, got into the mix on the back nine when he birdied Nos. 10, 13 and 14 and eagled 15 to get to 12 under. But Kaye, who was cruising to a 63, had to settled for a 66 when he double-bogeyed the par-3 17th and bogeyed the 18th. Divots: Officials said Saturday the tournament's name will be changed to the Chrysler Classic of Greensboro when the event moves to the fall in 2003. The purse also will increase $700,000 to $4.5 million. ... John Maginnes had 19 putts in his second round. He matched that total through 12 holes Saturday and ended up with 28 and a 4-over 76. ... Only 21 of 71 players broke par on the front nine.