DUBLIN, Ohio — Mathew Goggin kept birdies and mistakes to a minimum on a long day at the Memorial yesterday, shooting a 1-under 71 that was good enough to build a three-shot lead as he tries to win his first PGA Tour event.

"Expectations are rising," he said. "Three shots in front, I expect to win."

Muirfield Village changed its character, but only slightly, thanks to a 2 1/2-hour rain delay in the third round. What didn't change was the rough and difficult conditions, and Goggin didn't have to do much to keep his lead.

He was at 8-under 208, the highest 54-hole score at Jack Nicklaus' event since Greg Norman won a rain-shortened tournament in 1990 at even-par 216.

Former Masters champion Mike Weir matched the best round of the day, a bogey-free 68 that put him at 5-under 211 and in the final group with Goggin, who has never had a 54-hole lead on the PGA Tour.

Matt Kuchar was among those going backward until holing out with a wedge for eagle on the 15th, following that with a birdie on the 16th and posting a 71 to join the large group, including Justin Rose (70), Jerry Kelly (73) and Kenny Perry (74), in a tie for second.

"The guys at 3 under are in this golf tournament," Perry said. "If Mathew has an off day tomorrow, it brings the whole field in. It's definitely his tournament to win. If he shoots 75, then the door's wide open for everybody."

ELSEWHERE

Ginn Tribute: Sophie Gustafson shot a 5-under 67 yesterday to push past a faltering Karrie Webb and take a six-stroke lead into the final round of the LPGA event at Mount Pleasant, S.C.

Gustafson was tied with Webb, her playing partner, when the round began. Within three holes, Gustafson had opened a three-shot lead after a birdie and chip-in for eagle on the par-4 third at the RiverTowne Country Club.

"You know what, you can't think like that," Gustafson said when asked if her eagle got her excited about her chances for success. "You have to focus on your next shot and just keep going."

Principal Classic: Nick Price shot a 5-under 66 yesterday and took a one-shot lead after the second round of the Champions Tour tournament at West Des Moines, Iowa.

Price will enter the final round at Glen Oaks Country Club with a 6-under 136 total. Six players were one shot back.

Wales Open: Scott Strange maintained a three-shot lead after the third round of the European PGA Tour tournament at Newport, Wales, despite feeling dizzy at one point on the back nine.

The 31-year-old Australian, who began the day with a four-stroke lead, shot a 2-under 69 to reach 15-under at the Celtic Manor Twenty Ten course.

NCAA Men's Division I Championships: UCLA's Kevin Chappell shot a 4-over 76 yesterday to wrap up the NCAA men's individual golf championship and help the Bruins hold off Pac-10 rivals Stanford and Southern California for the team title at West Lafayette, Ind.

Chappell finished the tournament at 2-under 286. The Pac-10 player of the year was the only player to finish the tourney under par.