Thompson four in front in Raleigh

Golf Betting Lines

06/09/2007 - Raleigh, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kyle Thompson only shot a two-under 69 on Saturday, but extended his lead to four after three rounds of The Rex Hospital Open.

He missed Jimmy Green's 54-hole tournament record by one shot after he came in at 15-under-par 198 at the TPC Wakefield Plantation.

"To increase my lead after shooting two-under, I'm pretty fortunate," acknowledged Thompson, who has held at least a piece of the lead after all three rounds. "I'm really surprised nobody made a push from behind."

Bob Burns stayed in second place on Saturday after a one-under 70. He completed three rounds at 11-under-par 202, which is two strokes better than David McKenzie, who fired a seven-under 64 to get to third place at nine- under-par 204.

Thompson was up and down through the front nine with two birdies and a bogey. He bogeyed the 10th, but luckily, no player made a significant move toward his lead.

On the second nine, Thompson closed strong with a birdie at the par-three 14th, and a birdie at the par-five closing hole.

"I shot a different score, but I hit the ball as well today as I did the last two days," said Thompson, who only missed four greens in regulation on Saturday. "I hit it great. The only difference was the putts didn't go in."

This marked the sixth time Thompson has held at least a share of the 54-hole lead. He has yet to visit the winner's circle, but seems to have a strong game plan for Sunday.

"I've had so many close calls that it's been frustrating," said Thompson. "It just feels good to be playing good golf again. I'm looking forward to the final round. I'm going to attack the pins and make birdies. My game plan will not change at all. It is like playing chess, just make one move at a time and not get ahead of yourself."

Aron Price (67), Tom Carter (71), Rick Price (72) and Tommy Biershenk (71) are knotted in fourth place at minus-eight.

Keith Nolan (68), Scott Dunlap (68), Keoke Cotner (70), Garth Mulroy (70), Mario Tiziani (70) and Tee McCabe are tied for eighth place at seven-under-par 206.

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Big East Conference odds

Work left to do: Villanova, Syracuse, DePaul, West Virginia, Providence

Notre Dame and Louisville appear to have done enough to make the move, so we'll make them locks. The Cardinals, despite a modest RPI, are trending way up and have clinched at least a tie for third in the Big East, which should be more than enough with their pair of big road wins. Villanova got back to .500 and gets back to more solid footing. Syracuse got a very important road win and crippled a fellow contender in the process. West Virginia's fate could be in its hands Tuesday at Pitt.

Work left to do:

Villanova [18-9 (7-7), RPI: 21, SOS: 5] Pounded Rutgers to get back to .500. If Cats can get their last two (at UConn, vs. Syracuse), that should be enough with strong computer numbers and a host of wins away from The Pavilion. The Cats have beaten Texas and swept the Big 5 (never easy in Philly), but have a couple of losses to bubble teams (Xavier, Drexel), too. I still think they'll be OK, possibly even at 8-8.

Syracuse [20-8 (9-5), RPI: 53, SOS: 62] History says 10 wins will be plenty, but it might be hard for the Orange to get that last one with a final two vs. G'town, which is trying to win the league title, and at Villanova, which will be desperate for a W. The relative lack of nonconference heft and the weak computer numbers are still concerns, but the Orange have won four in a row and got a very, very big win at Providence on Saturday.

DePaul [16-12 (8-7), RPI: 54, SOS: 18] Beat Cincy and should get past South Florida to get to 9-7, but then what? They have beaten Kansas and Cal (right after the DeVon Hardin injury) earlier this season, but also have lost to Bradley and Purdue, among others. They'll likely need a couple of BE tourney wins, too, but we'll see ...

West Virginia [19-7 (8-6), RPI: 58, SOS: 125] The game at Pitt on Tuesday night could decide the Mountaineers' fate (barring a deep tournament run). They can still get to 9-7 in the Big East without it by beating Cincinnati, but the nine wins would be against UConn, Villanova, St. John's, South Florida, DePaul, Rutgers, Seton Hall twice and the Bearcats. Beating bubble foes is fine, but where's the beef? Outside of beating PG-less UCLA in nonconference play (still a top quality win), there's not a lot to fall back on (besides maybe NC State). WVU vs. Syracuse would be an interesting debate, as the teams don't play in the Big East regular season. WVU has the best win, but Cuse has played the much better schedule.

Providence [17-10 (7-7), RPI: 70, SOS: 33] The Friars likely saw their at-large hopes die at home in the four-point loss to Syracuse, barring an unexpected run to the Big East semis or more. The RPI, bad already, won't be helped by playing St. John's and South Florida in the final two league games.

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