Spaun clings to share of lead at windy PGA Las Vegas

J.J. Spaun, seeking his first US PGA title, clung to a share of the lead with Beau Hossler after Saturday's wind-plagued third round of the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.

Battling swirling and gusting breezes all day, Spaun struggled to a two-over par 73 but stayed level with US compatriot Hossler atop the scoreboard on nine-under par 204 after 54 holes at Summerlin in Las Vegas.

Spaun, who missed the cut in last year's event, led at the halfway mark for the first time in 34 career US PGA events. His first-ever lead after any round came last week, when he finished level 34th at the Sanderson Farms Championship.

Spaun opened with three bogeys in the first five holes to stumble back within reach of the field. But Spaun kept his lead and stretched it to two shots by starting the back nine with his first birdie of the round from 16 feet.

After adding another birdie from six feet at the par-5 13th to reach 10-under, Spaun missed the green on the par-3 17th and made bogey, falling into a share of the lead.

But at the par-4 18th, Spaun sank a clutch 10-foot par putt to keep his share of the lead entering the final round.

Hossler, also seeking his first PGA title, managed a bogey-free 66, his longest birdie putt a 52-footer from off the green at the par-4 seventh. He closed the front nine with a tap-in birdie and the back nine with a 30-footer to claim the low round of the day.

American Tony Finau was third on 207 after his third 69 in a row with US rivals Tom Hoge, Gary Woodland, Patrick Cantlay and Chesson Hadley all sharing fourth on 208.