Monty takes charge at Senior PGA

Defending champion Colin Montgomerie will take a three-shot lead into the final round of the Senior PGA Championship.

Montgomerie shot a two-under-par 70 on The Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort in Indiana to take his total to five under par on Saturday.

That was three shots clear of Bernhard Langer, who posted a 69, and four ahead of Scott Verplank (70), Esteban Toledo (73) and Brian Henninger (74).

Montgomerie’s countryman Sandy Lyle was in a group on even par, five back, after a well-played 68.

All took full advantage of overnight leader Tom Lehman’s struggles. The 1996 Open champion slumped to a seven-over 79 to drop into a tie for 13th on 2 over.

Montgomerie started with a bogey at the first but then addies a birdie on either side of the turn before picking up another shot with a grandstand finish at the par-4 18th.

Henninger briefly shared the lead with Montgomerie, but a triple bogey at the 16th spoiled his card.

Langer made his move with an eagle at the par-four eighth hole and then closed with consecutive birdies after a bogey at the par-5 16th.

Despite the three-shot cushion, Montgomerie is not taking victory for granted.

“There’s a potential double around every corner here,” he said. “Long day ahead on Sunday.

“There’s a seven-mile walk, and the emotions will go up and down like a rollercoaster.”

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