Goydos snatches lead from Perry at River Highlands

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Paul Goydos birdied five of the last eight holes to overhaul fellow American Kenny Perry and grab a one-shot lead in Saturday's third round of the Travellers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut.

Two off the pace when the weather-delayed second round was completed earlier in the day, Goydos fired a sparkling seven-under-par 63 to take charge at the rain-softened TPC River Highlands.

The double PGA Tour winner, helped by a sizzling run of four consecutive birdies from the 13th, covered the back nine in five-under to post a 16-under total of 194.

"I scored well, just kind of took advantage of the good breaks I got today and survived the mistakes," Goydos told reporters after a round featuring eight birdies and a lone bogey. "You need to make sure you enjoy it and make sure, if nothing else, you learn from it," he said of his bid to win a first title since the 2007 Sony Open in Sunday's final round.

"The good thing is it's all going to be in front of me."

American David Toms, winner of the 2001 U.S. PGA Championship, was a further stroke back at 14-under after a matching 66.

Perry, who briefly held a three-stroke lead with six holes remaining, missed a five-foot birdie attempt in fading light at the last and had to settle for second place after carding a six-birdie 66.

"When it gets dark, I don't see very good," Perry, 48, said of his wasted opportunity on the 18th green. "I can't see the lines when it gets dark, and that's just the way it was."

Overall, though, the 13-times PGA Tour winner was delighted with his position.