The American collected four birdies and an eagle in his last six holes to shoot a 64 for a three round total of 15-under-par 195.

That left him with a two-stroke lead on overnight leader Tommy Gainey, who fired a 69 at the Sedgefield Country Club, on a day when play was halted for more than an hour because of severe weather conditions.

Sweden’s Carl Pettersson, the only non-American in the top five, was tied for third with John Mallinger, one ahead of Daniel Summerhays.

A group of five players, including South Africa’s multiple major winners Retief Goosen and Ernie Els, were a shot back at 10-under.

Simpson made a slow start to his round, dropping two early shots, but the 26-year-old made his move late in the afternoon, following the delay caused by rain and the threat of lightning.

“You’ve got to really stay patient around this golf course, because bogeys are pretty quick to happen out here with the rough and the undulating greens,” Simpson said.

“I told myself to be patient and let the birdies come. It took them a while to get there, but (I) finally made a few coming in.”

Simpson birdied the 13th then sank a 32-foot birdie putt on the 14th. He made an eagle at the par-15th when he put his second shot to within five feet of the flag.

He birdied the 16th and 17th to pick up six shots in five holes then missed another birdie by two inches on the 18th.

“Probably one of my top birdie-eagle streaks that I’ve had, and it came at a better time than any other streak I’ve had, just because we’re not getting anything going all day and everybody else is taking it low,” Simpson said.

“To finish the round that way was great. I’d much rather finish the round that way than start that way. If at all possible, we’ll start that way (Sunday).”

Gainey also made a slow start, with two early bogeys to lose his overnight lead, but fought back to end the day still in contention.

“I guess one word sums it up — frustrating,” Gainey said.

“That’s the only positive thing that I can take from it right now, is I still have a chance to win the golf tournament.”

Pettersson began the day seven strokes back but climbed the leaderboard with a 63, the best score of the round.
 

In North Plains, Oregon,  Choi Na-yeon overcame her pre-round nervousness to shoot a 2-under 69 on Saturday and take a three-shot lead in the LPGA Safeway Classic.

The South Korean star reached 8 under on Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club’s Ghost Creek course, sinking three birdies and a bogey in the second round after reeling off seven consecutive birdies in her opening 65.

However, she needed a brief pep talk from swing coach Robin Symes to put her in the proper frame of mind.

“I told my coach that I feel very scared to lose this chance. This is my first time to win this year,” Choi said. “He said, 'This is not the first time. You had four times before. This is really like the fifth time. Don’t be scared.’

“My answer was, 'OK, I’ll do my best.’”

Her best proved enough, building a comfortable lead ahead of Stacy Lewis, who had a 68. She started the round with four consecutive birdies, but dropped three strokes with bogeys at Nos. 5, 9 and 10.

Mika Miyazato (67) was third at 3 under.

Choi took advantage of cool weather and softer greens during the morning en route to her opening round 65.

“My putter wasn’t great like yesterday, but I only missed one short putt,” Choi said. “I like these greens. I can see the line.”

Choi said the last time she led a tournament wire-to-wire was the Jamie Farr Classic last year in July.

“I’ll start out playing aggressively and then I’ll decide how to play. I want to play my game, not their game or her game,” Choi said.

Lewis, in her third year on tour, is aiming to win her second official LPGA Tour title of the year and her career. In April, Lewis captured the Kraft Nabisco — the first major of the year.

Lewis’ putter was working early during the second round. She rolled in birdie putts of 18, 25, 25 and 30 feet during the first four holes to briefly move into a tie for the lead with Choi.

“I didn’t hit great shots or anything. The putts were just going in,” Lewis said.

Lewis said she feels more comfortable in a contending position since her big victory in April.

“I’ve just been riding that high. I know I’m playing well. It’s just the confidence level is a lot higher,” Lewis said.

Brittany Lincicome (68), Ryann O’Toole (69) and Grace Park (73) were 2 under.

Among those at 1 under was Louise Stahle, who shot Saturday’s low round with a 66.

Defending champion Ai Miyazato (74) was 10 strokes back at 2 over, and Michelle Wie (73) was 5 over.