PENN TWP — For a golfer who claims to be a horrible putter, Kevin Shields is in a pretty good spot heading into the final round: alone at the top.

The 34-year old won the Frank B. Fuhrer Jr. Invitational in 2003. He's 18 holes away from doing it again.

Shields shot a 71 in the third round Tuesday at Butler Country Club and entered today's final round with a 1-under-par 209, four shots ahead of Barry Evans, Bob Friend and Brad Westfall.

For all his putting troubles, Shields sank a birdie putt on No. 18 to close out his latest round.

"That came out of nowhere," Shields said, laughing. "I wasn't putting well at all earlier today.

"If my putting ever comes around, that's when I'd really find out how good I could be."

Shields has his eyes on the first-place money, but don't expect him to hold anything back simply because he has a four-stroke lead.

"I don't often get the chance to play for $25,000," he said. "And shame on me if I go in tomorrow and play defensively. I'll either win it or I'll shoot 100."

The 18th hole has been a good one for Shields, who parred and eagled it in the opening two rounds Monday. That makes him minus-3 there for the week.

"That's the best hole in the world right now," he said with a grin.

Friend will be one of many golfers chasing Shields today.

He entered Tuesday tied for fifth place at plus-1 before shooting a 72 for a current total of 213.

Friend had sole possession of second place in his sights but missed a three-foot, uphill putt on No. 18. He ended up taking a bogey to finish his day.

"This course may look sublime," he said. "Most of the greens are small and circular, but they're like the ones at Oakmont (Country Club). You just don't feel that you can give the ball a tremendous roll from anywhere on the green."

Friend's best effort this week was a 68 in Monday's second round. But he's not one to set a certain score as a goal with 18 holes to play.

"I don't do that," he said. "I just try to make as many good shots as possible. And when all the smoke clears, we'll count 'em up and see how it turns out."

Another golfer a bit further back is Butler's John Aubrey Sr.

The veteran has gotten better every round, going from a 75 and 71 in the first two rounds to a 70 on Tuesday and a five-way tie for sixth place.

Aubrey's total of 216 was the best in the clubhouse until the final five pairings finished.

"I was a couple under in today's round, but then I bogeyed 14 and 17," said Aubrey. "The pin placements were difficult again today.

"This is a defensive type of golf course," he added. "You can make it near the pin, but then the greens give you fits. You're always playing defensively."

Riverside Golf Club's Ty Roush had second place all to himself when Tuesday's action began, just one shot behind Shields.

But a 6-over 76 has knocked him to fifth place, six shots from the top.

The only score under par on Tuesday came from Green Acres Golf Course's Richard von Tacky, who managed a 69. He's currently tied for 11th place with a 217.

Butler's Robert McClellan shot a 74 and has a 219, 10 shots behind Shields.

Saxonburg's Joe Boros put up a 73, giving him 220 for the week, 11 shots off the pace.

Today's final round began at 7:30 a.m.

The final three pairings are as follows: John Aubrey Sr./Ty Roush (10:03), Barry Evans/Bob Friend (10:12) and Brad Westfall/Kevin Shields (10:21).