Jeff Maggert ties Matt Every for third round lead at Sony

Honolulu, HI, United States (AHN Sports) – The co-leaders after 54 holes at the Sony Open present two very contrasting players.

Jeff Maggert, who went back to the qualifying school at age 47 to keep his playing privileges, shot a six-under par 64 Saturday and climbed into the 54-hole lead with Matt Every, who has a third round lead for the first time in his career. The two are 12-under par, 198.

Maggert, a quiet, steady player over his journeyman career, had four birdies on the day and an eagle at the friendly par five ninth. Maggert has won three times.

Maggert said he wasn’t hesitant to go back to the q-school last December. “I wanted a backup plan,” he said. “I wanted to go and see if I could be competitive and keep playing out here.”

Every shook things up with some controversial comments about his 2010 arrest on marijuana possession charges at the John Deere Classic on Friday. He was unphased by the attention and went about his business in the calm conditions that opened up the course for good scores. This is Every’s first appearance at the Sony.

The duo will start the final round two shots ahead of a trio of players. Charles Howell III and Johnson Wagner recorded 66s to finish 10-under while Brendon de Jonge, who led the tour in birdies made last season, shot 67 to join them.

D.A. Points, winner of the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, came in early with 64 to post nine-under while Duffy Waldorf finished later in the afternoon with 66 to join him at 201.

Tournament of Champions winner Steve Stricker and PGA champion Keegan Bradley are two of 11 players who will start the final round four shots back at eight-under.

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