ESPN Golf

LA QUINTA, Calif. -- Australia's Paul Gow took the third-round lead in the in the six-round PGA Tour final qualifying tournament, shooting a 7-under 65 on Friday to move two strokes ahead of Rich Barcelo and Cameron Beckman.

Gow had an eagle, six birdies and a bogey on PGA West's Jack Nicklaus Tournament Course for a 13-under 203 total. Beckman had a 66, and Barcelo shot a 70, both on the Nicklaus course. The three leaders will play the Stadium Course on Saturday.

"I've got three more rounds before I go home," said Gow, 26th on the Nationwide Tour money list this year. "I'm looking forward to going home and seeing my kids and stuff like that. It's been a long year and I've played really bad."

The top 30 players and ties at the end of Monday's final round will earn PGA Tour cards for next year, with approximately the next 50 players earning full exemptions to the Nationwide Tour. The remaining players in the field will be conditionally exempt to the Nationwide Tour next season.

George McNeill (67) was fourth at 10, Bob Heintz (67), Tom Johnson (67) and John Mallinger (67) followed at 9 under, and Matt Hendrix (67), Ryan Armour (67), Brian Bateman (69), Michael Boyd (64), Mark Wilson (65) and Robert Garrigus (65) were 8 under.

Several big-name players remained outside the cut line to earn a PGA Tour card for next year. Two-time U.S. Open winner Lee Janzen was tied for 35th at 3 under after a 68 on the Nicklaus course. Duffy Waldorf, a four-time tour winner, was tied for 63rd at even par after a 73.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press