Atlanta — Kenny Perry already has had a week to remember at the Tour Championship.

He was honored with the Payne Stewart Award, which he called the greatest accomplishment of his career. He was so overcome by the stifling heat in the opening round at East Lake that he thought he might throw up after five holes and was lucky to shoot a 72.

How about this to top it off?

A two-shot lead going into today, a final pairing with Tiger Woods, his entire family in town and a chance to capture the Tour Championship, and maybe even the $10 million bonus for winning the FedEx Cup.

“It might be magical,” Perry said Saturday. “We’ll see.”

His round Saturday was magical enough. Perry birdied the opening four holes — all on putts inside eight feet — to catch up to Woods quickly, then kept bogeys off his card the rest of the way for a 6-under 64.

“Four birdies in a row puts you in a good mood is all I can say,” said Perry, who was at 8-under 202. “That set the tone for the day.”

Woods had a 12-foot birdie putt on the first hole that slid by the cup, and that set the tone for his day. He missed a half-dozen chances from 15 feet or under, yet his only significant birdies came on putts of 20 and 55 feet. The other was a two-putt on a par 5. He wound up with a 69, his eighth consecutive round in the 60s during the FedEx Cup playoffs, yet this one cost him the lead.

“I got fooled a few times there,” Woods said, confused by the slope and grain on the greens.

Perry has 14 career victories, yet only two of them have come with Woods in the field. Even with a two-shot lead, he is approaching today as though he has nothing to lose. He even playfully challenged the world’s No. 1 player.

“Here I am at 49, I’m still trying to beat him,” Perry said. “I have fun with it. He’d better bring his ‘A’ game is all I’ve got to say.”

Phil Mickelson shot a 4-under 66, suddenly believing he can make any putt whether it’s from four feet or 40 feet. He was at 4-under 206 along with Sean O’Hair (70), who was tied with Woods until pulling a tee shot into the water on the 17th to make double bogey.

Golf

Britain, Ireland extend lead

Saint-Nom-La-Breteche, France — Britain and Ireland struck another blow to Continental Europe in the Vivendi Trophy on Saturday, extending their lead to 9-5 in the European Tour matchplay event.

Captained by three-time Ryder Cup winner Paul McGinley, Britain and Ireland won three of the four greensomes — where both players drive and hit alternate shots with the preferred tee shot.

Late momentum lifts Ochoa

Danville, Calif. — Top-ranked Lorena Ochoa birdied five of her last seven holes Saturday for a 7-under 65 and a share of the third-round lead with Sophie Gustafson in the CVS/pharmacy LPGA Challenge. Ochoa is winless in 10 starts since taking the Corona Championship late April.

Pernice Jr. leads by 1

Cary, N.C. — Tom Pernice Jr. moved into position to become the 15th player to win his Champions Tour debut, shooting his second bogey-free 5-under 67 on Saturday to take a one-shot lead in the SAS Championship.

Auto racing

Bowyer best at Dover

Dover, Del. — Clint Bowyer raced to his second Nationwide Series victory of the season on Saturday, taking the lead with 83 laps to go on the concrete at Dover International Speedway.

His celebration was ignored as all attention turned to a brief, but heated, confrontation on pit road between Denny Hamlin and Brad Keselowski. They made contact late in the race, sending Hamlin to the garage. Keselowski finished third and was greeted when he got out of his car by an angry Hamlin.

They exchanged words, and Hamlin shoved Keselowski. Keselowski’s public-relations rep shoved Hamlin. The crews for both drivers got between the drivers. Keselowski crew chief Tony Eury Jr. ended it after a brief chat with Hamlin.

“I wanted to talk to him,” Hamlin said. “He obviously needs some sort of guidance on what he needs to do to make it.”

Keselowski blamed Hamlin for the accident.

“He cuts me off like he always does,” Keselowski said. “He’s Denny Hamlin.”

Hamilton takes pole

Singapore — Lewis Hamilton of McLaren took the pole position Saturday for the Singapore Grand Prix, while Formula One championship leader Jenson Button had a “disastrous” qualifying session.

Button will start from 12th on the grid, behind even Brawn GP teammate Rubens Barrichello.

Tennis

Monfils reaches final

Metz, France — Top-seeded Gael Monfils reached the Open de Moselle final with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over fellow Frenchman Richard Gasquet on Saturday.

Monfils will face second-seeded Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany, who ousted Paul-Henri Mathieu of France, 7-6 (5), 6-4.

Montanes, Monaco advance

Bucharest, Romania — Fifth-seeded Albert Montanes defeated Santiago Ventura, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, Saturday to advance to the final of the BCR Open Romania.

Montanes will face third-seeded Juan Monaco, who beat Simon Greul, 6-4, 6-3.

NFL

Stadium GM hit with DWI

Fort Worth, Texas — The general manager of the new Cowboys Stadium has pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated and has been sentenced to 15 days on a Tarrant County sheriff’s labor detail.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that Jack Hill’s attorney, Mark Daniel, confirmed Hill had pleaded guilty. Daniel said the 54-year-old Hill was sentenced Thursday after entering the plea.

Cleveland’s Lewis sidelined

Cleveland — Browns running back Jamal Lewis will miss today’s game against the Ravens due to a hamstring injury. On top of that, the Browns also will be without kicker Phil Dawson (calf), and offensive linemen Floyd Womack (ankle) and Rex Hadnot (knee).

Two Colts defenders out

Indianapolis — Middle linebacker Gary Brackett and cornerback Kelvin Hayden did not travel with the Indianapolis Colts to Arizona where they will play the Cardinals tonight.

Brackett injured his left knee late in last Sunday’s victory at Miami. Hayden hurt his hamstring.

MLB

Lester only has bruise

New York — Jon Lester was able to joke, so his right leg must have felt relatively good.

“Still attached, so we’re going in the right direction,” the Boston pitcher said.

Lester was knocked out of Friday night’s 9-5 loss to the New York Yankees by a third-inning liner off the bat of Melky Cabrera. The ball hit near Lester’s right knee, and he sustained only a bruised quadriceps. X-rays were negative.

He hopes not to miss a turn, but could be pushed back, depending on how he feels.

Macha expects to stay

Milwaukee — Ken Macha already is involved in discussions about the Milwaukee Brewers’ future — and he expects to be a part of it.

Macha said before Saturday’s game against Philadelphia that he has had “positive” discussions with general manager Doug Melvin and is comfortable with the situation.

Clemens returns to Houston

Houston — Roger Clemens looked like any proud father, setting up the video camera to record a big moment for his son.

The seven-time Cy Young Award winner was back on a big-league field Saturday. Clemens’ son, Koby, received an award for being the Most Valuable Player of one of Houston’s minor-league teams.

Clemens said there was nothing new to discuss in his ongoing legal battle with former trainer Brian McNamee.

“We’re just moving along,” Clemens said.

NBA

Nuggets, Graham agree

Denver — The Denver Nuggets have signed veteran forward Joey Graham to their training-camp roster. The team announced the move to sign the Oklahoma State product Saturday. Graham has averaged 6.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in 275 games with the Toronto Raptors.

Cycling

Italy’s Guderzo prevails

Mendrisio, Switzerland — Tatiana Guderzo of Italy won the women’s race at the road cycling world championships Saturday, while American Kristin Armstrong finished fourth in her final race before retirement.