Chris Eassy has a three-shot lead going into the final round of the Grenville County Amateur at Holly Tree. (GolfClub File Photo)

Chris Eassy is holding four 3s in his hand as he gets ready to play the final round of the Greenville County Amateur at Holly Tree.

Eassy broke out of 3- way tie for the lead to take a 3-shot lead into the 3rd- round as he tries for his 3rd- Greenville County Amateur championship.

Eassy started the day early on Saturday morning.

`15 groups of golfers were left on the course when play was suspended at 8:45 on Friday.

A four-hour lightning delay prevented all golfers from completing their first round on schedule.

The 2008 and 2017 champion finished his first round in a tie with defending champion Cole Patterson and former Louisville golfer JD Lehman.

The three golfers were tied at 5-under par 67 to hold a one shot lead over John Bearrie and a two-shot margin over early first round leaders Jimmy McCollum and Connor Blackwelder.

Eassy was able to duplicate his first round 5-under par 67 while the other co-leaders fell back.

Former Wofford golfer Cory Taylor is alone in second place. (GolfClub File Photo)

Patterson struggled to post a 4-over par 76 while Lehman carded a 1-over par 73.

Former Wofford golfer Cory Taylor improved by one shot from his first round 3-under par 69.

Taylor’s two day total of 137 stands him alone in second place 3-shots off the lead.

McCollum shot a 2-under par 70 and is tied with Russ Gillig in fourth after 36 holes.

Colby Patton and Connor Barker each shot rounds of 7-under par 65. The two golfers had the low rounds of the tournament.

Patton, a member of the Clemson golf team, added his 67 to a first round 73 to trail Eassy by  4-shots. Patton is the son of the 1985 and 1989 champion Chris Patton.

Clemson golfer Colby Patton tied for low round of the tournament with a 7-under 65 and is in third place. (GolfClub File Photo)

Barker’s 65 and first round 77 put him in a ninth place tie.

Barker’s  2-under par 142 tied him with four other golfers including past champions Yancey Johnson and Todd Hendley.

The tournament leaders will start the final round at 10:20 off the first tee.

Tournament leader Eassy will be in the final pairing with Taylor, Patton and Gillig.

Two-time Greenville County Amateur champion Bobby Hines has been named to the Greenville County Golf Hall of Fame. (GolfClub File Photo)

In addition to the final round the Greenville County Golf Association will induct a new member.

Two-time champion and long time participant  Bobby Hines will join a distinguished group of Greenville golfers in the Hall of Fame.

Hines won County Amateur championships in 1996 and 1998.

Scores from Saturdays second round and Sunday tee times and are available at http://www.upstategolfclub.com