Day gives himself real chance of the big time

JASON Day made an unlikely par at the final hole to take a two-shot lead into the final round of the $6.5 million Byron Nelson Championship in Texas.

The Australian yanked his drive into a water hazard but needed just two more shots from 180 yards to par the 18th at the Four Seasons TPC on Saturday.

Day, on 12-under 198 total, is two shots ahead of Blake Adams (70) with Jeff Overton (69) a shot further back.

"I wasn't as confident with my driver today, because I was hitting it everywhere," Day told reporters after overcoming some poor tee shots to shoot a three-under-par 67 in strong winds.

The 22-year-old former Australian amateur champion was expected to make a major impact in his PGA Tour rookie season in 2008 but injury got in the way.

"First real big-time chance and if I can notch up a win here, that would be great and just wonderful to get that monkey off my back," said Day. "I'm playing against other players, but the biggest thing is I'm playing against myself. I don't want to let the course beat me. If it does I'm going to be slapping myself in the head after (the final round]."

Day's lone bogey of the third round came at the first hole but he needed a couple of magnificent par saves to avoid further damage.

PGA Tour rookie Adams did not produce his best form but was happy enough to be in contention.

"I didn't play as well as the first two days but I think the wind had a lot to do with that," he said. "Even par isn't great but it's not the end of the world.

"I didn't drive it well, didn't hit my irons very well, but all in all you can't win a tournament on the third day, but I could certainly lose it and I didn't lose it, so I have a chance."