Southern Farm Bureau Classic 2006

Trahan shook off a double bogey to maintain a two-stroke lead Saturday, birdieing the final two holes for a 1-under 71 on the Annandale Golf Club course. The birdies left him atop the leader board and in the running for a full tour card as well.

"I really executed my game plan well," Trahan said. "I just had a couple of mental errors."

Trahan, who has led after all three rounds, had a 12-under 204 total after opening with rounds of 65 and 68. Two-time U.S. Open champion Lee Janzen (67) was second, and Daniel Chopra (68) and Brad Faxon (72) followed at 9 under.

Trahan, trying to win for the first time on the PGA Tour as well as lock up full playing privileges for next season, countered a bogey on the par-4 third hole with birdies on Nos. 5 and 7. After a string of six pars, he dropped two strokes on the par-4 14th, but rallied to birdie the 17th and 18th.

"I felt like I handled my emotions well out there," Trahan said. "I certainly wish I could have made a few more putts, but that's golf. The double bogey on 14, I wanted to break something because it was such a stupid 6."

Trahan playing in his 65th PGA Tour event, is 142nd on the money list with $474,242, with the top 125 at the end of the season retaining their full tour cards. The winner's share of the $3 million purse is $540,000.

Despite that, Trahan said he does not feel pressured going into the final round.

"Honestly, if I was not to play great tomorrow, if I was not to keep my tour card, I would have to deal with it," he said. "I think the worst thing you can do is sit there and dwell on it and let it eat away at you. Because that will just hinder you in the future."

Janzen, who has made just seven cuts in 23 events, is playing on a one-time tour exemption based on his position in the top 50 on the career money list. He finished out of the top 125 last year for the first time since joining the tour in 1990.

"It's very easy to get caught up with your position on the money list," Janzen said. "Trying to move up to acquire another standing or whatever. The guys outside the top 125, the guys outside the top 70, and the guys trying to get into the top 50 world rankings. There are a lot of carrots out there that worth going for. That was a concern all year."

Faxon, who chased Trahan most of the day, offset three birdies with three bogeys.

Faxon is trying to make up for a difficult season that has put him at 136th on the money list. Making the top 125 is only a matter of pride for him, his victory in Hartford in '05 came with a two-year exemption.

Faxon is one of the tour's steadiest players and hasn't finished out of the top 90 since 1985, his third year as a pro.

Chris Riley (69) was 8 under, and 14 players followed at 7 under.