Rose fires 65, takes 1-shot lead at Transitions

Justin Rose is coming off a year in which he won two PGA Tour events on strong golf courses. He knows what to expect from his emotions in the final round and how to stay patient amid a crowded leaderboard.

The four guys behind him have never won.

And that made Rose’s 1-shot lead Saturday in the Transitions Championship seem a little larger.

“It doesn’t mean it’s all going to go smoothly tomorrow,” Rose said. “You have to be ready for whatever happens. But at least I kind of am aware of the ups and downs, and the things I’m going to face. And I think that maybe it’s a lot easier to deal with.”

Rose was patient long enough for the birdies to fall, and he shot a second straight round of 6-under 65 in more perfect conditions at Innisbrook in Palm Harbor, Fla., to build a lead over Brendon de Jonge and Webb Simpson.

A 6-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole put Rose at 13-under 200, 1 shot off the 54-hole tournament record.

De Jonge and Simpson have never won on the PGA Tour. Neither have the two guys another shot behind — rookie Scott Stalling, who only made his first cut in the big leagues last week in Puerto Rico; and Gary Woodland, who lost in a playoff at the Bob Hope Classic this year.

LPGA Founders Cup:

Angela Stanford opened a 3-stroke lead over Brittany Lincicome in the LPGA Founders Cup at Phoenix, shooting her second straight 6-under 66. Stanford, the 33-year-old Texan who has 4 victories in 10 full seasons on the tour, is playing for her own foundation in the charity event at Wildfire Golf Club.

Sicilian Open:

Raphael Jacquelin of France shot a 2-under 69 to take a 1-stroke lead after the third round of the Sicilian Open at Ragusa, Sicily. Jacquelin totaled 5-under 204 to pass overnight leader Anthony Wall of England, who shot 72.