Trahan maintains two-shot lead
Saturday, 30 September 2006 12:06DJ Trahan enjoyed a strong finish with three birdies in the final five holes as he retained a two-stroke lead at the Southern Farm Bureau Classic.
Trahan, who matched his best round as a pro on Thursday with a 65, carded a four-under-par 68 to get to 11-under, maintaining a two-shot cushion over Brad Faxon and Joe Durant.
Trahan said: 'I hit the ball well and gave myself plenty of opportunities. As well as I hit the ball today, I'm disappointed with not having made some more birdies.
Faxon fired six birdies en route to a five-under-par 67 while Durant carded a seven-under 65.
Swede Mathias Gronberg is another shot back on eight-under after his second consecutive 68.
Much of the focus this weekend is on the American Express World Championship being held at The Grove near Watford, which features 20 of the 24 players who competed in the Ryder Cup.
However, the event in Mississippi has significance as the season winds down.
With just five events left before the Tour Championship, many players are trying to use the opportunity to solidify their position on the money list, either to earn a trip to Atlanta or hold on to their tour exemptions.
One of those players is Trahan, who is in his second year on tour and still looking for his first career win.
The Atlanta native had missed 17 of 29 cuts this season and is just 142nd on the money list with $474,242.
Trahan took another step toward his biggest pay-day with a bogey-free round. Starting on the back nine, Trahan carded a birdie at the 11th before 11 consecutive pars.
