American Kevin Chappell moved closer to an elusive breakthrough victory when he survived windswept conditions and an error-strewn front nine to earn a one-stroke lead after the third round at the Texas Open Saturday. Chappell, who quietly finished seventh at the Masters two weeks ago, struggled most of the day before picking up three birdies in the final five holes for a one-under-par 71 at TPC San Antonio. He posted an eight-under 208 total, with South African Branden Grace (70) and American John Huh (71) the closest challengers at seven-under heading into the final round. Seven others are two shots back, including halfway pacesetters Tony Finau and Bud Cauley, who both shot 74. Nobody carded better than 68 after a cold front blew through and brought with it winds gusting to 30 miles per hour (48 kph), sending the average score soaring to 74.3 strokes. Chappell finished runner-up four times on the PGA Tour last year, and is still seeking his maiden victory in his 180th start. He was in full survival mode early and was delighted with the way he hung tough. ‘The golf course hit me in the chin real hard early,' he told PGATour.com. ‘I just couldn't find a rhythm.' Wiesberger wins in Shenzhen Austrian Bernd Wiesberger survived Tommy Fleetwood's spectacular late assault and pipped the Englishman in a dramatic playoff to win the Shenzhen International Sunday. Wiesberger, who started with a three-stroke lead over the field, shot a one-under par 71 to aggregate 16-under and join Fleetwood who came up with the lowest round of the week, carding seven birdies and an eagle for a spotless 63. Wiesberger who displayed nerves of steel to save par on the 17th hole after landing in the water. He also kept his cool to roll in the clutch putt for a birdie to seal victory as rain poured down at the Genzon golf Club. Ross Fisher looked on course for a spot in the playoff going into the final hole, but a bogey on the 18th saw the Englishman finish tied in third place with France's Gregory Bourdy. South Africa's George Coetzee also shared the lead after birdies on the 16th and 17th but twice he found water to finish in 11th place. Kuboya bags Panasonic Open Home-grown veteran Kenichi Kuboya beat compatriot Katumasa Miyamoto in a sudden-death playoff to lift his first title for five years at the Panasonic Open Japan Sunday. The pair were locked at 11-under par after both registered birdie fours at the 72nd hole of the Asian Tour event at Chiba Country Club, north-east of Tokyo. But Kuboya kept his cool to shoot a final day 64 and win the 150 million yen (approximately $1.37 million) event co-sanctioned by the Japan golf Tour as Miyamoto fired his playoff hole tee shot out of bounds and put his next into trouble before conceding. It was a disappointing final round for the overnight leader from South Korea, Kwang Jung-gon whose bogey on 17 cost him a place in the playoff as he could only card a level-par 71 to finish in a tie for third on 10 under. — Agencies
