Neal Shipley fires 6-under-par 65; maintains 1-stroke lead in Asheville

NEAL Shipley stayed bogey-free through three rounds and maintained a one- stroke advantage after Saturday's play at the inaugural Biltmore Championship Asheville in Asheville, North Carolina.

Shipley carded a 6-under-par round of 65 and the PGA Tour rookie is at 21-under 192 after 54 holes at The Cliffs at Walnut Grove.

His playing partner, Ben Kohles, also fired a 65, which included back-to-back birdies on the finishing holes to get to 20 under.

Shipley did not match Friday's birdie-birdie-eagle start, but did record his second eagle in two days, reaching the par-5 15th hole in two shots and sinking a short putt for eagle. He added four birdies.

Eric Cole and Ricky Castillo are tied for third at 17-under-par. Cole fired a 64, while Castillo backed up his 62 on Friday by matching Shipley and Kohles with a 6-under round on Saturday.

China's Haotong Li fired a tournament-low round of 10-under-par 61 to vault up 31 places into a tie for seventh at 15 under. He is tied with three others, including PGA Tour and Presidents Cup rookie Jackson Koivun, who carded an 8-under-par 63. — REUTERS