Redington/Getty Images

Ricky Barnes is 8 under and in contention through three rounds at Harbour Town.

By Stan Awtrey, PGATOUR.COM Correspondent

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. -- Could Ricky Barnes be the next young gun to break through on the PGA TOUR?

The former U.S. Amateur champion put himself in position to contend for his first PGA TOUR victory by shooting a 4-under 67 on Saturday at The Heritage ( click here to replay his round). Barnes walked off the course tied for fourth place, two shots behind leaders Jim Furyk and Jason Day, at 8 under.

Barnes, who turned 30 in February, has yet to post a victory on TOUR. He tied for second at the 2009 U.S. Open and was fourth earlier this spring at The Honda Classic, his only top-10 of the season. Barnes has plenty of good feelings about Harbour Town; he tied for fifth a year ago in his first appearance at The Heritage.

Barnes’ scorecard on Saturday featured five birdies and only one bogey. He missed a 10-footer for birdie at No. 17 and got up-and-down from the front of the 18 ^th green for a par. He missed six of 18 greens in regulation, but was able to salvage par on each occasions, three times from bunkers.