SCOTTSDALE, February 5, 2012 (AFP) - Spencer Levin stretched his lead in the Phoenix Open to six strokes on Saturday, carding a three-under 68 in the third round before the biggest crowd in the tournament's history.
A crowd of 173,210 turned out in ideal weather at the par-71 TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course, breaking the record of 170,802 who attended the 2008 third round.
"It was fun for sure, but I was trying to focus, too," Levin said of the big galleries and the raucous atmosphere particular to the tournament. "You don't get that too often, all those people cheering."
Levin was five shots ahead after completion of the second round on Saturday morning, after darkness halted play in Friday's fog-delayed round.
In the third, he notched four birdies and one bogey for a 17-under total of 196. His bogey on the par-five 15th was his first since the opening hole of the $6.1 million event.
"I felt like I played solid," Levin said. "I felt like I was in control of my ball most of the day. I've never had a big lead like that starting the day, and I thought I played well. Overall, I'm pleased about it."
Fellow American Webb Simpson had six birdies and three bogeys in his 68 for an 11-under total of 206.
"I feel good, but my swing is just not really getting in sync," said Simpson, who at number six in the world is the highest-ranked player in the field. "I'm missing the ball left and right. I want to polish that up. But I made a bunch of good swings down the stretch that gave me a lot of confidence."
Korean-American rookie John Huh had another strong round, posting a 69 for 207, tied for third with American Bubba Watson, who carded a 67.
Levin was in the clubhouse with the lead on Friday night, with Harrison Frazar three shots back with three to play when darkness halted play.
Frazar finished his second round with two bogeys to give Levin an even more comfortable cushion heading into the afternoon's third round.
Levin, 27, is seeking his first US PGA Tour title. He garnered attention as an amateur at the 2004 US Open at Shinnecock, where he made a hole-in-one and finished tied for 13th.
Levin had a share of the first-round lead at Torrey Pines last week, but followed an opening 62 with a 76.
"Hopefully, I can just stay calm, try my best and keep having fun," Levin said. "I'm going to try my best. That's all I'm going to do, and we'll see what happens."
Leading scores here on Saturday after the third round of the US PGA Tour $6.1 million Phoenix Open (USA unless noted, par-71):
196 - Spencer Levin 65-63-68
202 - Webb Simpson 65-69-68
203 - Bubba Watson 66-70-67, John Huh 68-66-69
204 - Chris Stroud 68-70-66, Jason Dufner 64-72-68, Greg Chalmers (AUS) 68-69-67, Ben Crane 69-67-68, Kyle Stanley 69-66-69
205 - John Rollins 70-70-65, Phil Mickelson 68-70-67
206 - Matt Jones (AUS) 67-72-67, Marc Leishman (AUS) 70-68-68, Jeff Maggert 70-68-68, Trevor Immelman (RSA) 67-70-69, Bill Haas 69-68-69, D.J. Trahan 72-70-64, Harrison Frazar 66-67-73
207 - Martin Flores 71-68-68, Noh Seung-yul (KOR) 67-72-68, Harris English 70-69-68, Bo Van Pelt 65-71-71
208 - Kevin Na 66-73-69, Scott Piercy 68-70-70, Jarrod Lyle (AUS) 66-72-70, James Driscoll 67-70-71, Charles Howell 69-68-71, Josh Teater 68-69-71, Derek Lamely 66-70-72, Pat Perez 69-73-66