Holder Weekley moves three shots clear at Heritage

ATLANTA (Reuters) - Boo Weekley, helped by a sizzling run of five consecutive birdies, stayed on course for a successful Heritage Classic title defense after Saturday's third round at Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

A stroke off the pace overnight, the 34-year-old charged three shots clear with a six-under-par 65 in blustery conditions at the Harbor Town Golf Links.

Aiming to become the first player to win consecutive titles at Hilton Head since Davis Love III in 1992, Weekley hit his approach to six feet at the last for his seventh birdie of the day and a 15-under total of 198.

"Right now I'm a little tired, but overall I'm excited how I played," a smiling Weekley told reporters after posting his seventh successive sub-70 score at Harbor Town.

"I played real well today, stayed pretty focused. It was a great day. The wind got up a little bit on us but everything worked out for the best."

Anthony Kim, boosted by an eagle at the par-five second, carded a 67 to lie second at 12 under, two ahead of Jason Bohn (67) and Cliff Kresge (68) and Australian Aaron Baddeley (67).

World number nine Jim Furyk, runner-up at Harbor Town in 2005 and 2006, was a further stroke back in sixth after returning a third successive 68.

Overnight pacesetter Lucas Glover and Kim dueled for the lead early on before Weekley took control.

KIM EAGLE