Goydos stunned to be in control at Players Championship

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida (Reuters) - No one was more surprised than Paul Goydos after the American journeyman claimed a 54-hole lead for the first time on the PGA Tour at the Players Championship on Saturday.

The former substitute teacher, renowned for his dry wit and self-deprecating humour, has upstaged some of the sport's biggest names over the first three rounds at Sawgrass.

"This is my 16th year (on Tour) and this is my first Saturday lead," Goydos told reporters after grabbing a one-stroke lead by firing a two-under-par 70. "There you go. I guess I was due."

Asked if he was stunned by his performance at a challenging venue where he has never finished higher than tied for 38th, he replied: "Pretty much. You have to go by the track record and on this golf course, mine stinks."

Goydos, a double winner on the PGA Tour, has missed four cuts in nine previous starts at the Players Championship. He shared 38th place in 1999.

Nicknamed "Sunshine" on the Tour because of his stone-faced demeanour, the 43-year-old Californian would have plenty to smile about if he triumphs on Sunday.

The winner's cheque for $1.71 million (878,000 pounds) would eclipse his total earnings in any single season since he turned professional in 1989.

FIRST VICTORY