ESPN Golf

RICHMOND, Texas -- PGA Tour winner Matt Kuchar took a three-stroke lead Saturday in the season-ending Nationwide Tour Championship, holing a 30-foot eagle putt and a 40-foot birdie chip en route to a 5-under 67.

Already safe in the race for 2007 PGA Tour cards at No. 12 on the money list, the former Georgia Tech star started the day in a five-way tie for the lead.

Kuchar, the 2002 Honda Classic winner, distanced himself from the field with the eagle putt on the par-5 fifth hole and the chip shot on 17. He had a 13-under 209 total on The Houstonian course. Boo Weekley was second after a 68.

Kuchar got his PGA Tour card the first time through sponsor exemptions.

"I did it in pretty neat fashion the first time," Kuchar said. "I've done a lot of great things in golf. This time, I feel like I'll stay."

Still, he felt lucky after Saturday's round. His eagle had a big left to right break "that could have easily gotten away," Kuchar said. The chip in also was special.

"Those were two things that don't happen often so I had some breaks and otherwise I had little trouble," Kuchar said. "I knew if I played well, I could get some separation."

The field is fighting for 22 PGA Tour cards. The season money champion will be fully exempt on the 2007 PGA Tour and earn a spot in The Players Championship. The next 21 finishers on the final money list will be conditionally exempt on the PGA Tour and Nos. 23-37 will get byes to the final stage of Q-school.

Andrew Buckle (71) and Cliff Kresge (71) were tied for third at 9 under. Chris Baryla (72) was another shot back and Craig Kanada (72) finished at 7 under.

Buckle, Kresge, Baryla and Brandt Snedeker were tied with Kuchar for the 36-hole lead. Snedeker (75) slipped to 5 under.

Ken Duke started the week atop the money list with $369,318, followed by Johnson Wagner ($356,319), Craig Bowden ($327,171), Kresge ($321,013) and Jeff Quinney ($311,952). Kuchar entered the week with $234,867.

Duke continued to fade with a third-round 76 for a 1-over total. Wagner moved into position to challenge for the money lead with a 72 that left him at 6 under.

Weekley has a string of seven straight sub-par rounds since a wrist injury forced him to withdraw after the first round of the PalmettoPride Classic. He returned with a second-place finish in the Miccosukee Championship two weeks ago.

He's eager to get on the PGA Tour.

"It's still golf," Weekley said. "That's what it's about to me. I ain't got nobody walking in my shoes but me. I got nothing to prove to anyone but me."

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press