Garcia took another important step toward recovering from a troublesome season Thursday with a 6-under 65 at Liberty National for a share of the lead with Paul Goydos and former Virginia standout Steve Marino.

Former Virginia star Steve Marino made it to the big stage for the first time in his fledgling career Saturday with a 67-68 start to his first British Open, but the nerves sure showed during a wild ride Saturday along the Scottish coast.

Tom Watson rolled in two impossibly long putts, danced a Scottish jig on the 18th green and walked off tied with former UVa standout Steve Marino for the 36-hole lead at the British Open.

Marino’s second straight round in the 60s — and this one was really impressive the way the wind was whipping around Turnberry — was overshadowed by two other developments of some interest.

From there, it was smooth sailing for Adams, as he finished his second straight round of bogey-free golf with a 5-under 67 to head into today’s final round with a one-stroke lead in the competition.

On a hot and stuffy Thursday, McLuen’s decision to stick around looked even better after the 28-year-old shot a 7-under 65 on nine birdies to take the lead.

With all that behind him, Little launches his career as a professional golfer in today’s Richmond Open, a three-day, 54-hole stroke play event on the eGolf Tour.

Yet while each day he played was at a different venue in a different environment, the one bit of consistency for Davidson was his play. Coming into the final 18 holes in a tie at 10-under for the tournament, Davidson fought off Jeff Curl to win by two strokes.

Jeff Curl put himself in good position to go after a fourth tournament victory by shooting a 6-under 66. That round left him lurking one stroke behind Luke List, who posted a 7-under 65.

With Jesse Smith, Hank Kim and Andy Bare just halfway through the back nine, Michael Sims was forced to wait things out on the clubhouse patio before beginning any celebrations. It wasn’t long until the round was up, and by the time the last group came in, Sims was still on top.

While the last hole of the day may leave a bitter taste, Smith heads into the last two days of the Classic 11 strokes under par, good enough for a two-stroke lead.

After the first round ended, David Robinson was tied atop the leaderboard with Andy Bare, who also posted a 65. Both were just a shot off the course record of 64 set during last year’s inaugural Spring Creek Classic. Both Bare and Robinson have already won a pair of events on the tour this season, with Bare winning last week’s Warrior Classic in China Grove, N.C.

The top four money winners on the Tarheel Tour will tee it up with 148 of their closest friends — or at least competitors — today in the second annual Spring Creek Classic at the Spring Creek Golf Club.

With so many participants in the Greene Hill Invitational complaining about the windy conditions on Saturday, Mother Nature gave the golfers some much needed change.

The 2008 Battle Trophy race is on.

Jerry Burton, a former professional out of Williamsburg, burst onto the local scene last year after regaining his amateur status. The Spring Creek member has been impressive in his short time in Central Virginia, making it to the finals of last fall’s match play championships before losing to eventual champion Bowen Sargent.