Golf-Spectacular run puts Australian Leaney ahead at Heritage

ATLANTA, Apr 16 (Reuters) Australia's Stephen Leaney, helped by an eagle on the second hole, grabbed a one-shot lead midway through the final round of the weather-delayed Heritage Classic at Hilton Head, South Carolina today.

Four strokes off the pace after Saturday's third round at the Harbour Town Golf Links, Leaney raced to the turn in six-under 30 after reeling off four successive birdies from the third.

He then parred the 10th hole to stay at 15 under overall on a clear, blustery morning, ahead of second-placed Americans Boo Weekley and Kevin Na.

Weekley, who eagled the par-five fifth, and Na had completed nine holes.

Leaney, a winner of seven international titles since turning professional in 1992, is seeking his first victory on the PGA Tour.

The 38-year-old is also bidding to become the fifth Australian to triumph at the Heritage, following Graham Marsh (1977), Greg Norman (1988), Peter Lonard (2005) and Aaron Baddeley (2006).

American Jerry Kelly, who led by one before most of yesterday's scheduled action was wiped out by strong winds, was alone in fourth place at 13 under after nine holes.

World number five Ernie Els, winless on the PGA Tour since 2004, was a further stroke back in a tie for fifth after nine holes, level with Masters champion Zach Johnson, also after nine, and Vaughn Taylor, after 10.

This is the second Monday finish on this year's PGA Tour, American Mark Wilson having won last month's Honda Classic in a four-way playoff on the fifth day.

REUTERS AKD PM2147