Local favorite Webb Simpson fired a six-under 64 Saturday to seize a two-shot lead heading into the final round of the US PGA Tour's Wyndham Championship. Simpson, a North Carolina native, had a 15-under par total of 195 and a two-shot lead over Tommy Gainey. Gainey, who had led or shared the lead after each of the first two rounds, carded a 69 for 197. Carl Pettersson, a Swede who now lives in North Carolina, posted a 63 to join American John Mallinger (65) on 198. Simpson, 26, shrugged off a slow start and finished with four birdies and an eagle as he put himself in position to claim a first career PGA Tour title. “You've got to really stay patient around this golf course, because bogeys are pretty quick to happen out here with the rough and the undulating greens,” Simpson said. The tournament is the last before the start of the US tour's FedEx Cup playoffs, with plenty of players jockeying to gain entry into the elite series. Daniel Summerhays carded a 68 for 199, while a group at 200 included South Africans Ernie Els (69) and Retief Goosen (68). Choi leads Classic In Oregon, Na Yeon Choi overcame her pre-round nervousness to shoot a 2-under 69 Saturday and take a three-shot lead in the LPGA Safeway Classic. The South Korean star reached 8 under on Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club's Ghost Creek course, sinking three birdies and a bogey in the second round after reeling off seven consecutive birdies in her opening 65. However, she needed a brief pep talk from swing coach Robin Symes to put her in the proper frame of mind. Her best proved enough, building a comfortable lead ahead of Stacy Lewis, who had a 68. She started the round with four consecutive birdies, but dropped three strokes with bogeys at Nos. 5, 9 and 10. Mika Miyazato (67) was third at 3 under. Brittany Lincicome (68), Ryann O'Toole (69) and Grace Park (73) were 2 under. Among those at 1 under was Louise Stahle, who shot Saturday's low round with a 66. Defending champion Ai Miyazato (74) was 10 strokes back at 2 over, and Michelle Wie (73) was 5 over.
