Little maintains Faulconer lead

Nick Little fell a little off his blistering Friday pace but played well enough to maintain a four-shot lead at the Faulconer Invitational at Lake Monticello Golf Course.

The 22-year-old Crozet resident and 2007 Battle Cup winner shot a 71 on Saturday for a two-day total of 137. He birdied the first three holes before running into trouble.

“It was a rollercoaster ride the rest of the way through,” he said. “I wound up making birdie on my last hole to shoot 1-under. It was definitely up-and-down.”

Tim Kelley was four shots back at 141 after shooting a 69 on Saturday. Jerry Burton was at 142 and Greg Bales was at 143.

Kelley and Steven Firkins tied for the day’s best round and the second-best of the tournament after Little’s first-day 66.

“I’m confident that if I play well, I shouldn’t have anything to worry about,” Little said. “I know that Tim’s a really good player and so is Jerry. Both of those guys have the potential to play really well. I need to keep an eye on those guys and, at the same time, concentrate on playing my own game.”

Today’s final round begins at 8 a.m., with the leaders teeing off at 11:10 a.m.