Burns bursts out to two-shot lead after 54 holes in Athens

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Third-round leader Bob Burns hasn't made a bogey since the 16th hole of the first round.

ATHENS, Ga. -- Bob Burns surged to a two-stroke lead at the Athens Regional Foundation Classic with a bogey-free 67 on Saturday and is 12 under par through three rounds. In pursuit are fellow Tour veterans Rich Barcelo and Patrick Sheehan at 10 under.

"It's been a long time, but I've been in this position before," the Valencia, Calif., native said after the round.

He last stepped into the winner's circle at the 2002 Disney Golf Classic on the PGA TOUR. He has also won twice on the Nationwide Tour in 1998 -- both of which came after he held a share of the 54-hole lead. Burns has earned more than $3.75 million on the PGA TOUR and Nationwide Tour since 1991.

After missing the cut in his first three events of the season and shooting 74 in Round 1 this week, Burns has played his last two rounds at a cumulative 14 under par.

"The difference is my putting -- 100 percent. I've played decently this year but have been giving it all back on the greens," he said.

In his first three events, Burns has averaged 32 putts per round. So far in Athens, he has had 27, 25 and 29 putts in Rounds 1-3. He has also not made a bogey since the 16th hole of the first round.

The tournament is far from over, however, and no less than 13 players are within five shots of the lead. Last year Robert Damron fired a 6-under-par 66 in the final round to come from five strokes back and win.

For the third consecutive day, tournament officials implemented a local rule allowing players to lift, clean and replace their ball in closely mown areas through the green (areas cut to fairway height or less). Players were grouped in twosomes starting on the first tee at 8:27 a.m. Play concluded at approximately 6 p.m.

A threat of rain on Sunday afternoon will push tee times up for Sunday's final round. Players will go off in threesomes on the first and 10th tees beginning at 7:30 a.m. Expected completion time is approximately 2:15 p.m.

Third-Round Notebook: Players with regional ties include Blake Adams of Eatonton, Ga., (tied for ninth at -7); University of Georgia alumnus Brendon Todd (tied for ninth at -7); and fellow ex-Bulldog Kevin Kisner (tied for 19th at -5). ... Brad Elder and Cameron Percy shot the low rounds of the day at 6-under-par 66. ... Justin Bolli withdrew before the start of the round due to illness. ... The course has gotten progressively easier over the three days of play with scoring averages of 73.1 in the first round, 72.5 in the second and 71.3 in the third. ... It was mostly sunny Saturday morning with clouds building in the afternoon. High temperatures warmed to the mid-70s. Winds were out of the south at 6-12 mph. Showers and thunderstorms are expected on Sunday with the best chance for activity in the afternoon.