Matteson takes command

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Troy Matteson has taken a three-shot lead in the Puerto Rico Open after shooting a 6-under-par 66 on Saturday.

Troy Matteson has taken a three-shot lead in the Puerto Rico Open after shooting a 6-under-par 66 on Saturday.

Going into the third round, the top fourteen players were seperated by only three shots at Trump International Golf Club. Matteson seized the advantage by equaling the best round of the day, carding seven birdies and a lone bogey to reach 16 under.

“There’s so many birdies to be made out here, three shots is nothing,” said Matteson. “You’ve got to go out there and make birdies and try to shoot another low score. And I think that’s why people like this golf course. There’s a lot of birdie opportunities, couple of eagle opportunities.

“We like coming to places where we can make birdies.”

Matteson, a 31-year-old former Georgia Tech player, secured his first PGA Tour victory by winning the Frys.com Open in 2009, to go with two NationWide Tour victories in 2006. This is the last year of his exemption for his 2009 win.

“I think it’s an advantage, but I haven’t won enough out here to not be a little nervous, and most guys would be nervous,” Matteson said. “Tomorrow, I’m just going to go out and try to do the same things I did the first couple days. I’m going to try to hit solid shots, give myself looks at birdie.”

Hunter Haas, also a two-time winner on the Nationwide Tour, but seeking his first PGA Tour victory, is in second place after shooting his second straight 68.

“I got off to a pretty good start,” said Haas. “Seems like a lot of people are making birdies on the front, and on the back it’s kind of just hold on.”

In third place in another American, Michael Bradley, who shot a 68 on Saturday.

Major champion Angel Cabrera (69) was 10 under along with Chris Tidland (72), Brendon de Jonge (67), Brandt Jobe (67) and George McNeill (71).

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