Enquirer staff, wire reports

Stuart Appleby made three straight birdies on the back nine and shot a 6-under-par 66 to take a one-stroke lead over Steve Flesch after the fourth round of the Las Vegas Invitational.

Appleby, chasing his first tour victory since 1999, is at 28-under 259 heading into today's final round of the 90-hole tournament.

Flesch of Union, Ky., who started the day in a tie for the lead with Scott Verplank, shot 68 and is at 260.

Flesch had four birdies and no bogeys Saturday.

"A four-birdies, no-bogey round is mundane on this course," Flesch said. "Tomorrow I want to convert the opportunities I had today."

Flesch, a winner at New Orleans in April, has led or been near the top of the leaderboard all week.

LPGA TOUR: Rachel Teske had five birdies on the back nine - including four on the last five holes - and finished with a 6-under 66 to take a one-shot lead after three rounds of the LPGA Samsung World Championship at the Woodlands, Texas.

• Jan Stephenson issued a written apology to the Asian community for criticizing Asian female players in a recent magazine article.

KOREA OPEN: John Daly shot a par 72, leaving him one stroke off the lead after three rounds at Seoul.

DUTCH OPEN: Soren Hansen shot a 4-under 66 for an 11-under 199 total and a one-stroke lead at Hilversum.

USGA WOMEN'S MID-AM: Cincinnatian Lynn Thompson shot a 6-over 77 and was tied for 26th after the first round of qualifying at Wilmington, Del. Thompson trailed co-leaders Robin Burke and Virginia Grimes by seven strokes. The top 64 qualify for match play.