St. Jude Classic: Tim Herron survived a scrambling finish to stay in the hunt for a second successive PGA Tour victory after the St. Jude Classic third round in Memphis, Tennessee on Saturday.

The 36-year-old American, who won last week's Colonial tournament in a playoff, fired a two-under-par 68 to end a blustery day tied for the lead with compatriot Tom Pernice junior.

Pernice picked up shots at two of the last five holes for matching 68s as the pair finished level on seven-under 203 at the TPC at Southwind.

Herron, who ended a seven-year title drought at the Colonial, birdied four of the first nine holes to forge three strokes clear before losing momentum after the turn.

"I had it going there before I missed short birdie putts on 10 and 11," the four-times PGA Tour winner told reporters.

"I just have to go off tomorrow and commit to shots. I can't just guide it over the last few holes."

American journeyman Kris Cox was alone in third place at six under after shooting a best-of-the-week 63.

Back on the PGA Tour this season after a one-year absence, Cox reeled off seven birdies in a bogey-free display to rocket up the leaderboard.
 
"That's my best round of the year and my best round as a pro," Cox said. "It was all there today. Start to finish, it was really a lot of fun."
   
The 32-year-old was especially delighted with his performance after missing nine cuts out of 11 this season, and five in a row before this week.

"The cuts I missed, I missed by one and two shots," he said. "The difference is I'm now hitting the ball a lot better and the putter worked out.

"I gave myself some chances and putts went in where they hadn't before."

Tour veteran John Cook, the 1996 champion, birdied two of the last three holes for a 67 to share fourth place at five under with fellow American Jay Delsing (66).

Former world number one Nick Price, twice a winner at Southwind, returned a 69 to lie a further two strokes back in a tie for eighth, one ahead of defending champion Justin Leonard (67).

Twice winner David Toms, three off the pace overnight, battled in the gusting winds to a 72 and joint 11th place at two under.

The world number eight ran up a double-bogey seven at the third and dropped two more shots at the fourth and fifth before steadying his round with birdies at the sixth and 14th.

Little-known American Darron Stiles, who began the day two ahead of the field, dropped back into a tie for 18th at level par after carding a seven-bogey 77.