By MARY FOSTER
AP Golf Writer
Copyright 1996 the Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - Scott McCarron, with only one Top 10 finish during two years on the tour, and fellow sophomore Tommy Tolles, moved past veteran Tom Watson in the third round of the Freeport-McDermott Classic on Saturday.

McCarron, who finished third in Las Vegas last year to keep his tour card, had four bogeys and seven birdies in gusting wind for a 69 to take the lead at 12-under-par 204.

``It was a roller-coaster ride, up and down,'' McCarron said. ``I like roller-coasters, though, so it was fun.''

Tolles, whose best finish to date was third place in the Bob Hope Classic last year, used six birdies, including ones on the 17th and 18th holes, to complete the round at 66, putting him 11-under after three rounds.

``It was a lot of fun, Mike (Reid) and I sort of chit-chatted back and fourth the whole way,'' Tolles said. ``I think that kept me relaxed. I wasn't thinking about my swing or my putting.''

Watson, one stroke back at the start of the round at 10-under, finished at 10-under on Saturday after making one bogey and one birdie for third place in the $1.2 million tournament.

Second-round leader Lennie Clements, who started the day at 11-under, had four bogeys including No. 17 and 18 and dropped to 9-under.

Defending champion Davis Love III moved to 10-under through 13 holes, but bogeyed 14 and 17 to finish 8-under.

McCarron, 31, made putts of 15-, 8-, 24-, 3-, 7-, and two for 12-feet for birdies. He hooked into the hazard on No. 2, missed a 6-foot putt on No. 5 and drove into the bunkers on 11 and 14 for bogies.

``It was tough to deal with the wind out there,'' McCarron said.

The wind was gusty and blowing at about 15 to 20 mph. Tolles, 29, capped a six-birdie round with a 30-foot putt for birdie on the tough last hole that he couldn't believe dropped in.

``As soon as I hit the putt, I gave up on it,'' Tolles said. ``I thought it would go at least five or six feet beyond the hole. Then a gust of wind came up and pushed it right in.''

Watson, who has not won a PGA tournament in nine years, made a five-foot putt for his only birdie but saved par with short putts on No. 1, 4 and 13. He missed a 2«-foot putt on 14 for a bogey. Watson, who has struggled with his short putts, was pleased with his play and his position.

``I played a good round of golf, especially with the wind. It was a very different golf course because of the wind,'' Watson said. ``The short strokes were working well early and I felt pretty good with the putter.''

Watson has won the New Orleans tournament twice and tied for second once, all before the event moved to English Turn.

``I like my position,'' Watson said. ``I like the way I'm playing. I like the way I'm putting.''

Watson, who has won 32 PGA tournaments, acknowledged he'd be much more relaxed waiting for the last round than McCarron and Tolles.

McCarron said he would call his sports psychologist during the evening. Tolles said he would just try not to worry about it.

``I think it took me a while to learn to handle the night before the final round,'' Watson said. ``The main thing is to take your mind off tomorrow's round. There's always a little tension but you just try to relax your mind.''