McCarron takes one stroke lead at Japan Airlines Championship

Scott McCarron gave himself a strong chance to record his fourth victory in the last seven tournaments as he carries a one-stroke lead into the final round of the Japan Airlines Championship.

McCarron posted his second straight 6-under-par 66 on Saturday to reside at 12-under 132 at Narita Golf Club in Chiba, located east of Tokyo. He resides one stroke ahead of fellow Californian Kevin Sutherland.

The 52-year-old McCarron birdied all four par 5s in the second round and saved par on the 18th hole with a 6-foot putt to remain ahead of Sutherland.

McCarron won the Shaw Charity Classic last week in Calgary, Alberta, to tie German Bernhard Langer for the tour wins lead with four. The three-time PGA Tour winner won the Allianz Championship in February, the major Senior Players Championship in July and the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open three weeks ago.

Sutherland sank a 30-foot putt on the 18th hole to card a 68 on Saturday. He shared the first-round lead with Glen Day on Friday after each posted a 65.

The 53-year-old Sutherland finds himself looking up a McCarron again, as he finished second in the Dick’s Sporting Goods Open and tied for third in Calgary to remain winless on the tour. His lone PGA Tour victory came at McCarron’s expense in 2002 at La Costa in the Accenture Match Play Championship.

Todd Hamilton, the 2004 British Open champion, was three strokes back at 9 under along with Scotland’s Colin Montgomerie (66) and Paraguay’s Carlos Franco (68). Hamilton birdied the last two holes and five of the last seven for a 65 on Saturday.

Jeff Sluman birdied the last four holes to finish the second round with a 66 to match Paul Goydos (69), Canadian Stephen Ames (67) and Wes Short Jr. (69) at 8 under.

Massy Kuramoto topped the six Japanese players in the field at 5 under after a 72.