Funk back on top in Mexico

Fred Funk has a chance to make the PGA Tour’s first trip to Mexico a historic one as he moved into a two-stroke lead after the third round of the Mayakoba Classic.

Funk fired a six-under-par 64 to pull clear of Jose Coceras in second place with Cameron Beckman and Peter Lonard a distant third, five shots off the pace.

The 50-year-old is attempting to join Craig Stadler as the only players to win a PGA Tour event after triumphing on the Champions Tour, though his bid was nearly scuppered on the very first hole by a bad back.

“My first swing on the first hole I tweaked it,” said Funk, who carded a 62 and 69 on the first two days in Cancun.

“By the 11th and 12th tee, it was pretty bad. I was wondering how many full swings I could have. I just wanted to make it through the round.”

Face-down on the ground behind the 13th tee with a trainer working on his back, Funk did not look like he had much of a chance of completing 18 holes.

But he carried on to make three birdies in four holes, and recorded eight overall to go with two bogies.

Argentinian Coceras shot his second consecutive 65 to move into sole possession of second place on 13-under, while Lonard (67) and Beckman (69) are tied for third on 10-under.

Skip Kendall’s 63 was the best round of the day to move him up to nine-under while Boo Weekley, who started the day tied with Funk and Beckman, shot a 70 and is also at nine-under.

Graeme McDowell’s week continued to get worse. After shooting an opening 67, rounds of 70 and 72 have seen him slide down the leaderboard into a tie for 56th on one-under.