WASHINGTON, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Stuart Appleby led the field of the Houston Open Saturday with three shots clear midway through the third round.

    The Australian, who began the day with a one stroke lead over Briton Greg Owen, mixed three birdies with only his second bogey of the tournament on his outward nine to move to 13-under heading into the turn, reports said from Houston.

    American Brett Wetterich had a blistering front nine on the Tournament Course carding five birdies, including four straight from the second, to leave him five-under on the day with nine to play and 10-under for the tournament.

    Compatriot Paul Goydos and Swede Mathias Gronberg are at nine-under for the tournament with holes still to play.

    Fijian Vijay Singh's hopes of a third consecutive Houston title were also fading, the world number three mixing four bogeys and a double bogey with four birdies to sit two-over on the day with four holes to play. He was 11 shots behind the leader. Enditem