HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — Brian Gay is a round away from his second career victory — and from validating his place among PGA Tour winners.
Gay shot a 4-under-par 67 on Saturday and grabbed a three-stroke lead over Tim Wilkinson through 54 holes at the Verizon Heritage.
The former two-time Southeastern Conference champion at Florida already owns a tour title. But it was at the 2008 Mayakoba Golf Classic in Mexico, when most of the golf world was watching the bigger names at the World Golf Championships match-play event.
In all, 2008 was a career- making year for Gay: He won a personal best of more than $2.2 million, made 20 cuts and had 12 top-25 finishes.
And while most of the tour stars aren’t at Harbour Town Golf Links after last week’s Masters, Gay understands no one would poke holes in this potential victory.
“Who else is playing doesn’t really matter,” Gay said. “I think it will be validation of winning last year. I did it once and I’ll do it again.”
Especially if Gay plays as steadily as he has so far. He has made one bogey in 54 holes, while driving it straight and true on the course’s narrow, tree-lined fairways.
“Brian Gay is a fine player,” said Lee Janzen, a two-time U.S. Open winner. “He doesn’t get in trouble off the tee, and he’s a really good putter. I imagine if he continues to play that kind of steady golf, it will take a great round to catch him.”
Wilkinson, a lefty from New Zealand seeking his first tour victory, finished with a 65, tied for the low third-round score.
Janzen hasn’t won on tour since the second of his U.S. Open victories in 1998. He had two late birdies for a 69 that kept him in third.
Todd Hamilton, the 2004 British Open champion, was another shot back after his 72.
Price is right at Outback
LUTZ, Fla. — Nick Price moved into position for his first Champions Tour victory, shooting a 4-under 67 to take a three-stroke lead into the final round of the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am.
The 52-year-old Price, a three-time major champion and 18-time winner on the PGA Tour, had a 9-under 133 total at TPC Tampa Bay.
He birdied two of the last three holes.
Finch fires a 66
BEIJING — Richard Finch shot a 6-under 66 to take a one-shot lead going into the final round of the Volvo China Open.
Finch holds a one-shot lead over Gonzalo Fernandez- Castano (68). Markus Brier (71), the 2007 champion, and Ashley Hall (65) were two shots back.
