Golf-American Goydos stays one ahead at windy TPC at Sawgrass

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida, May 11 (Reuters) - American journeyman Paul Goydos stayed on track for a surprise victory by preserving a one-shot lead midway through the Players Championship final round on Sunday.

A stroke in front overnight, the former substitute teacher reached the turn in two-over-par 38 in brutal conditions at the Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass.

That left Goydos at five under overall on a day of survival with strong winds gusting up to around 65 kph.

Fellow American Kenny Perry was alone in second place, also after nine holes, with Spaniard Sergio Garcia a further stroke back in a tie for third at three under with American Briny Baird.

Seeking his third PGA Tour title, world number 169 Goydos made a faltering start with a bogey at the par-five second after overhitting the green with his third shot.

However, the 43-year-old remained one ahead of the pack with his playing partner Perry having bogeyed the opening hole after driving into the left fairway bunker.

Goydos dropped another stroke at the par-three third after his tee shot ended up in sand to briefly slip back into a tie for the lead with Perry at five under.

At the fourth, Goydos benefited from a dramatic two-shot swing. He rolled in a slick, downhill putt from 50 feet for birdie before Perry bogeyed the hole after finding another bunker off the tee.