Perry tied for lead with Merrick at River Highlands

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Kenny Perry sank a 13-foot par putt at the ninth to hold a share of the lead with fellow American John Merrick midway through Saturday's third round of the Travellers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut.

A stroke in front when the weather-delayed second round was completed earlier in the day, PGA Tour veteran Perry was in trouble after finding bunkers off the tee and also with his second shot at the 406-yard ninth.

After splashing out beyond the cup, he holed the putt after his ball had tantalisingly horseshoed around the rim to reach the turn in two-under 33.

That left Perry at 13 under overall at the rain-softened TPC River Highlands, level with the unheralded Merrick who was five under for the round after 10 holes.

American David Toms, winner of the 2001 U.S. PGA Championship, was a further stroke back in third after nine holes.

Merrick, playing only his third full season on the Tour, made a fast start to round three with three consecutive birdies from the par-four first.

After hitting his approach to seven feet at the par-four third, he drained the putt to join Perry in a share of the lead at 11 under.

Moments later, Perry slipped one behind after running up a three-putt bogey at the second but he immediately recovered with a birdie at the third where he rolled in an 11-footer.

Merrick, however, forged two ahead with further birdies at the sixth and seventh, where he hit his second shot to within four feet of the flag.