Rookie McNeill moves one ahead after nine holes in Vegas

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

LAS VEGAS (Reuters) - PGA Tour rookie George McNeill birdied the par-five ninth to grab a one-shot lead midway through the Las Vegas Open third round on Saturday.

The 32-year-old from Florida hit his approach within three feet of the flag before tapping in to reach 14 under overall.

McNeill covered the outward nine in one-under 35 to lie one ahead of compatriot and playing partner Garrett Willis in difficult scoring conditions at a blustery TPC Summerlin.

Willis, bidding for his second PGA Tour title, briefly held the outright lead at 14 under after rolling in a 15-foot birdie putt at the par-four seventh.

However, the journeyman professional dropped his first shot of the day at the par-three eighth after missing the green to the left and failing to sink a 10-footer to save par.

Willis then found a bunker with his second shot at the 563-yard ninth on his way to a regulation par to drop back into second place.

D.J. Trahan, joint pacesetter overnight with Willis and McNeill, was a further stroke back at 12 under in a three-way tie for third.

Level with Trahan were fellow Americans Mark Wilson, after 10 holes, and John Huston, after nine.