Six years after tragic accident, Smith in position to win on TOUR

RIO GRANDE, Puerto Rico -- Chris Smith is 18 holes away from one of the more amazing recoveries on the PGA TOUR.

Smith's life was upended and his career derailed when his wife was killed in a car accident in Indiana on Father's Day in 2009. The accident also critically injured his two children. He spent a long time trying to patch together his life and his game.

On Saturday, the 45-year-old Smith had a 4-under 68 and joined Scott Brown in a tie for the lead at the windswept Puerto Rico Open.

"I'm starting to get comfortable playing golf again, which is nice, and it's fun," Smith said. "All three days have been fun. I'm just trying to keep taking steps. I feel like I'm taking steps."

Brown, who won the Puerto Rico Open two years ago, birdied the final two holes for a 67 at Trump International-Puerto Rico.

They were at 6-under 2010.

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Smith last had a full PGA TOUR card in 2005 and was playing what is now the Web.com Tour when his wife was killed. He has since remarried. His two children are doing well. The golf remains a struggle. Smith has trouble getting into tournaments without status on any Tour. He has played no more than 10 tournaments a season since 2009.

He has limited status as a past champion, winning the Buick Classic at Westchester in 2002.

The Puerto Rico Open is opposite a World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship at Doral, giving Smith a rare opportunity. So far, he's making the most of it.