US PGA Tour: American Jerry Kelly fired a bogey-free three-under 69 to surge three shots clear after the third round of the New Orleans Classic.
Clinging to a one shot lead overnight, Kelly quickly went to work on TPC Louisiana layout with birdies on two of his opening five holes to give his chances of clinching a third PGA title a perfect start.
Winless on the PGA Tour since his 2002 Western Open triumph, the 42-year-old's charge slowed with a run of nine straight pars before collecting his third birdie of the day at the par-four 15th in compiling a 13-under total of 203.
"My goal was to be comfortable," Kelly told reporters. "I'm not going to force shots that make me uncomfortable. I'm going to try to stay comfortable.
"If I do that on the mental side, then I know the birdies will come.
"I fully intend to be able to sleep tonight. Fully intend to come out and try to enjoy the round tomorrow. All the cliches are there because they're true. I'm going to try to have fun and see what happens."
Fellow American Steve Marino recorded a 68 for the second day in a row, mixing eight birdies with a double-bogey and two bogeys to sit three off the pace on 206 in pursuit of his maiden PGA Tour win.
"It's going to need some good golf and some good luck," Marino said when asked about his prospects of a first title.
"I've been close a couple of times. Been struggling the last couple of months but I feel like I am starting to come around and playing well again."
Five golfers lurk a further shot behind; Americans Aaron Watkins (69), Charles Howell III (70) and John Rollins (71), South Korean Charlie Wi (71), and Australian Rod Pampling (68), who closed his round with four consecutive birdies.
