Billy Joe Tolliver will take a three-shot lead into today’s final round of the Bermuda Golf Classic.

Tolliver shot a one-under-par 70 at Port Royal Golf Course yesterday, despite struggling to hit a single fairway.

Jay Feely sits alone in second at two-over, with Camiko Smith, the Bermuda professional, a shot further back after his opening round of 74.

Tolliver did not have the best start to his round, bogeying the par-4 1st, but then parred the next six holes before back-to-back birdies at 8 and 9 saw him move to one-under at the turn.

The former New Orleans Saints quarterback then had a bogey and birdie free back nine, to finish as the only player in the field under par.

“I sprayed it all over the lot, hit it sideways and shot one-under, and I don’t know how,” Tolliver said. “I guess I just chipped and putted well and managed my miss a little better.”

Playing in a group alongside Jerry Rice, Tolliver said the Hall of Famer’s recovery on the back nine, which Rice played in one-over, had helped his own game.

Rice finished with a six-over 77 for his round after a front nine which saw him bogey three of the first four holes, and then bogey 8 and 9.

“Jerry rallied on the back nine and we kind of fed off each other,” Tolliver said. “The golf course is in really good shape, it’s really challenging. I’m a big fan of the place.”

Tolliver’s knowledge of the course helped Rice but the former San Francisco 49er said he “fought hard to get that 77.”

“It felt harder than a par 71,” he said. “You’ve got to be a shot maker and once you get on the greens there is still work to do. But it gave me everything I wanted today and I’m looking forward to coming back.”

Tolliver and Rice will play together again today in the final group, alongside Feely, and Venice Glenn, who carded an eight-over 79 yesterday.