Appleby closes in on his third straight win at Mercedes event

KAPALUA, Hawaii -- Whether they change the greens or change the calendar, it doesn't seem to matter to Stuart Appleby. Whenever he gets to Kapalua for the Mercedes Championships, he looks unstoppable.

On another blustery day that severely tested the 28-man field of last year's PGA Tour winners, Appleby was steady as ever Saturday and birdied three of his last six holes for a 3-under 70 and a two-shot lead over U.S. Open champion Michael Campbell.

Appleby walked off the Plantation Course at 6-under 213, in prime position to become the first player in nearly 50 years to win the winners-only event three straight times.

Campbell shot 71, putting him in the final group with Appleby for the second straight day.