PRATTVILLE, Alabama – University of Alabama alum Robby Shelton overcame a rocky start to card an even-par 72 on Saturday and finish at 12-under 204 heading into Sunday’s final round at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Championship. Shelton, the co-leader after 18 holes and solo leader after 36, leads Xinjun Zhang and Lanto Griffin by one stroke at The Senator Course.

Shelton labored to the tune of five bogeys in his first 10 holes before going 3-under over his last five to get back to even on the day. The 23-year-old sunk a 12-foot birdie putt at the last to regain the solo lead heading into the final round.

“It was a grind all day, starting out with a three-putt on two and then a bad pitch shot on four for bogey,” said Shelton. “I just got off to a slow start. I knew I could fight back; I knew I had it in me. But being 2-over through nine wasn’t good and 3-over through 10 is never good…I knew if I could get it back to even then it would be a solid day and I could take some confidence into Sunday on that.”

After putting on a ball-striking display on Thursday (hitting 17/18 greens in regulation), Shelton only found 25 of his next 36 greens, having to rely on scrambling. On Friday, he got up and down on all five attempts, but on Saturday he was only able to convert two out of six tries. He felt off from the start, even through his pre-round routine.

“My warmup was shaky today,” said Shelton. “The grip didn’t feel good in my hands. I just felt a little off, and you never want that when you’re heading to the first tee. I was just hoping the putter would save me and it did today.”

Growing up in Mobile, Shelton played as a junior golfer across the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail and later starred as an All-American at the University of Alabama. He recalls winning several junior tournaments on The Senator Course growing up.

As a professional, Shelton’s last win came on the Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada in 2017 at the GolfBC Championship. Now in contention for the first time since last May, Shelton recognized that conditions will change the course on Sunday for the final round.

“It’s going to be a little warmer and not as much wind, so there will be a bunch of birdies I’m sure,” said Shelton. “I just have to play my game, hit a few more greens and a few more fairways than I did today, but the putts are falling so that’s a good thing.”

The third-round scoring average (71.66) was more than two strokes lower than the second round (73.79) with slightly less windy conditions and a rising temperature.

Xinjun Zhang, who entered the week seventh on the Web.com Tour points list, carded a tournament-low 7-under 65 to ascend the leaderboard and sit T2 after 54 holes. Zhang scattered seven birdies across his bogey-free round to jump into contention. The 33-year-old is looking for his third top-three finish of the season.

Lanto Griffin added a back-nine 4-under 32 to tie Zhang at 11-under 205. The Virginia Commonwealth University alum is tied for the lead with 45 greens in regulation through 54 holes (83%).

Final-round tee times will run from 7:44 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. on Sunday morning.