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 67 yesterday and grabbed a three-stroke lead over Tim Wilkinson through 54 holes in 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 more than $2.2 million, made 20 cuts and had 12 top-25 finishes.

And while most 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," said Gay, who is at 13-under 200. "I think it will be validation of winning last year. I did it once and I'll do it again."

Wilkinson, a lefty from New Zealand seeking his first tour victory, finished with a 65 for a 203 total.

Lee 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.

Hawai'i's Dean Wilson, a Castle High alum, carded a 68 and moved into a tie for 26th place at 211.

CHAMPIONS TOUR

PRICE LEADS OUTBACK

LUTZ, Fla. — Nick Price moved into position for his first Champions Tour victory, shooting a 4-under 67 yesterday 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.

"I'm not tired (of people wondering why I haven't won on Champions)," said Price, making his 39th career start on the 50-and-over tour. "You know, my game hasn't been in good shape. I mean, I want to win out here. Mark O'Meara and I came out the same time and neither of us — we've both had a few close shaves, but we haven't won."

Price, from Zimbabwe, has taken the lead into the final round of three other Champions Tour events, but failed to hold on.

First-round leader Larry Nelson (71) was at 136 with Jay Haas (68) and Mike McCullough (69).

ELSEWHERE

VOLVO CHINA OPEN:

England's Richard Finch shot a 6-under 66 yesterday to take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Volvo China Open in Beijing.

Finch birdied six holes in a row on the par-72, 7,321-yard Beijing CBD International Golf Club course for a three-round total of 208. He holds a one-shot lead over Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano, who had a 68.

NATIONWIDE ATHENS REGIONAL:

Bob Burns fired a 5-under 67 to surge to a two-stroke lead at the Athens Regional Foundation Classic at Athens, Ga.

Burns, who opened with a 74 on Thursday, is at 12-under 204 at the Jennings Mill Country Club. Rich Barcelo (67) and Patrick Sheehan (71) are at 206.