BY DOUG FERGUSON | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
HONOLULU — Matt Every felt a lot more comfortable with a golf club in his hand instead of a microphone.
Starting to feel nerves from his rare position atop the leaderboard, Every steadied himself after a sluggish start and birdied his final hole Saturday for a 2-under 68, leaving him tied with 47-year-old Jeff Maggert going into the final day of the Sony Open.
Maggert, who missed part of last season after surgery on his right shoulder, eagled the easy par-5 ninth for the second straight day and shot a 64 for his first good chance at winning in nearly six years.
They were at 12-under 198, although 16 players were within four shots of the lead.
The toughest time Every has had all week came after his second round Friday.
He was honest to a fault while discussing his PGA Tour suspension as a rookie his rookie season in 2010 after he was arrested on a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge during the John Deere Classic. He looked uncomfortable when the topic was raised in a Golf Channel interview moments later.
Every attributed a tough night of sleep to his two-shot lead, figuring he had more to lose than to gain. But when he arrived at the course, he felt as calm as the conditions.
“I actually enjoyed myself a lot today, which was kind of weird,” Every said. “Because yesterday and going into today … I was kind of dreading today. But then when I got out here, I was like, ‘I’m so glad I get to play golf today.’
“If you play well … not that interviews are bad,” he said. “This is my first time really being in contention. I don’t know what those guys go through every week. Now I’m starting to realize it.”
Charles Howell III, who has had five finishes in the top five at the Sony Open, gave himself another opportunity with a 66. He was in the group at 10-under 200. Pebble Beach winner D.A. Points shot 64 and was another shot back, while the large group at 8-under 202 included Steve Stricker, trying to join Ernie Els in 203 as the only players to sweep the Hawaii events.
BY DOUG FERGUSON | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
HONOLULU — Matt Every felt a lot more comfortable with a golf club in his hand instead of a microphone.
Starting to feel nerves from his rare position atop the leaderboard, Every steadied himself after a sluggish start and birdied his final hole Saturday for a 2-under 68, leaving him tied with 47-year-old Jeff Maggert going into the final day of the Sony Open.
Maggert, who missed part of last season after surgery on his right shoulder, eagled the easy par-5 ninth for the second straight day and shot a 64 for his first good chance at winning in nearly six years.
They were at 12-under 198, although 16 players were within four shots of the lead.
The toughest time Every has had all week came after his second round Friday.
He was honest to a fault while discussing his PGA Tour suspension as a rookie his rookie season in 2010 after he was arrested on a misdemeanor marijuana possession charge during the John Deere Classic. He looked uncomfortable when the topic was raised in a Golf Channel interview moments later.
Every attributed a tough night of sleep to his two-shot lead, figuring he had more to lose than to gain. But when he arrived at the course, he felt as calm as the conditions.
“I actually enjoyed myself a lot today, which was kind of weird,” Every said. “Because yesterday and going into today … I was kind of dreading today. But then when I got out here, I was like, ‘I’m so glad I get to play golf today.’
“If you play well … not that interviews are bad,” he said. “This is my first time really being in contention. I don’t know what those guys go through every week. Now I’m starting to realize it.”
Charles Howell III, who has had five finishes in the top five at the Sony Open, gave himself another opportunity with a 66. He was in the group at 10-under 200. Pebble Beach winner D.A. Points shot 64 and was another shot back, while the large group at 8-under 202 included Steve Stricker, trying to join Ernie Els in 203 as the only players to sweep the Hawaii events.