By Jay Plotkin

Bernhard Langer used another solid round at The Hills Country Club and can become the first wire-to-wire winner in the seven year history of what is now the Triton Financial Classic.
Langer posted a 3-under-par 69 to follow his opening round of 65 to stand at 10-under heading into the final round. His birdie on the 17th hole Saturday pushed him ahead of Gene Jones by a stroke. Jones used a Saturday 66 to leap into second place at 9-under.
“It is better to be leading by one than to be trailing,” Langer told reporters after the round.
Langer, who is the leader in the tour’s Charles Schwab Cup race, is looking for his third win of the season. Jeff Sluman will also play in the final group of the day. The winner has only come from the final group twice. Hale Irwin won the 2003 event in a playoff despite trailing Tom Kite by a stroke entering the final round, and Scott Hoch won in 2007 after leading after 36 holes. Both Hoch and Kite are in contention again this year. They are four strokes off the pace, as is 2006 champion Jay Haas.
Mark O’Meara and Sluman are three strokes back.
Langer will begin his quest for the title at 12:45 Sunday.