HOUSTON, Texas, April 5 (Reuters) - Johnson Wagner, aiming for his first PGA Tour victory, shot a three-under-par 69 to take a one-stroke lead over fellow American Chad Campbell after the Houston Open third round on Saturday.
Wagner, ranked 313th in the world, finished with a 15-under total of 201 as he chased the first prize of $1 million and a win that would earn a spot at next week's U.S. Masters at Augusta.
Campbell, wielding a hot putter, was tied for the lead before a bogey at the par-four 17th prevented him registering a second successive 64. His 65 put him on 202 at the Redstone Golf Club.
Campbell birdied three of the first four holes and rolled in a 60-footer for birdie at the sixth. The 2003 Tour Championship winner added an eagle at the par-five eighth hole when he spun an 88-yard wedge shot back into the hole.
Americans Bob Estes, who fired a bogey-free 64, and Charley Hoffman (69) were tied for third on 204.
None of the top four have yet qualified for the Masters, the year's first major.
Geoff Ogilvy, the 2006 U.S. Open champion, posted a 66 for 206 while fellow Australian Mathew Goggin carded a 72 for 207.
"(I) got a couple of great breaks off the tee on the par-fives on the back nine," Wagner told reporters. "I think I hit a spectator and kept it in play. Knocked it off a tree, came back into play.
"I had some lucky breaks, but, you know what, I've had a enough bad breaks not to feel bad about the good ones. It was a great day (and I) hit good shots when I needed to."
Thirty-six players returned early on Saturday to complete the second round which was suspended due to a long weather delay on Friday.
Holder Adam Scott of Australia, who complained of feeling ill earlier in the week, added a second-round 69 to his course-record opening 63 but withdrew before the third round because of fever and swollen glands.
American Davis Love III, who needs to win to qualify for the Masters and keep alive his streak of playing in 70 successive majors dating back to the 1990 British Open, was six under on 210.
Wagner said it was hard not to dream about competing at Augusta National.
"It's hard not to think about it," Wagner said. "But I'm not too worried about it. If I were to win here, then obviously that would be just an incredible bonus."
