Canadian Brian McCann (198) set Belmont Hills ablaze with the putter yesterday, rolling in seven birdies to stretch his lead to four shots over Bermuda's Michael Sims (202) and American Tim Conley (202) heading into today's final round of the $50,000 Gosling's Invitational.

Not even the rain could dampen the former Nationwide Tour player's spirits as he powered his way to a five-under-par 65 to descend to 12 under for the tournament with 18 holes left to play.

Starting the day at seven under, McCann bogeyed the par-four fifth hole to prove that he's human after all, after his drive off the tee left him with an obscured view of the green behind a tree and his second shot checked into a greenside bunker.

But the 33-year-old Canadian PGA player bounced back brilliantly and then threatened to run away with the tournament after birdieing six of the next seven holes to dip to five under for the round heading to 13.

"It was a good stretch . . . maybe I was in my own little world today," McCann smiled. "Today was probably the best round of the three, even though I shot 64 the other day (Monday)."

Another birdie awaited McCann at 16 but Sims and Conley, who hung around like a hungry vultures all day, capitalised on the Canadian's bogey on the last hole with a pair of birdies of their own to keep their hopes alive.

"Whenever you are up by six shots you never want to give up two shots like that," said McCann, whose three wood off the tee landed on the crown of a fairway bunker to the left.

His second shot was even less impressive. "The second shot wasn't a difficult one; I don't know if I tensed up a bit. I hit a good pitch and then missed that six footer for par to give up two shots," he added. "But overall I thought I hit a lot of good shots today."

With the $9,000 winner's purse within reach, McCann now hopes to carry on in the same vein during today's final round at the 6,017-yard Paget layout.

"I have a four shot lead and so if I play mistake free golf then they will have to play a great round to catch me up," he reasoned. "They know they have to make birdies while the only thing I can try to do is play mistake-free golf."

Sims and long-time friend Conley also produced steady rounds, both carding identical four-under-par 66 to remain tied for second. Sims had five birdies and just one bogey at the par-four eighth hole to lend proof that he's winning the battle against the flu.

"Overall, I putted really well and hit the ball really well. I was very pleased with my round today," the 28-year-old pro said. "I felt awful but definitely played well today and was very pleased with that."

Sims acknowledged he still has some work cut out for him if he's to reel in the leader but is determined to put his best foot forward.

"Obviously McCann is playing very well; he made a lot of putts today. But you just have to go out there and shoot a really low number to try and catch him — and anything is possible," he said.

"You just have to try and make as many birdie putts as possible and let the cards fall where they may."

Four-time Invitational winner Conley had four birdies yesterday and an awe-inspiring eagle on the back nine at the par four, 14 with a wedge from 121 yards that landed behind the pin and spun back into the cup — much to the American's delight.

"It was wide open; just sitting on the dirt which I knew I could punch it and let it roll back towards the flag," Conley said. "I hit the right distance and said 'oh man . . .that's going to be real close' and then heard people screaming. That's when I knew it had rolled in.

"The eagle was fun . . . but every once in awhile you want to steal one from the golf course, which usually wins."

Conley also produced a gem for the highlight reel on the short par-three fourth hole with a breaking uphill putt from the edge of the green — even if it was a fluke.

"I wasn't planning on making that," he conceded. "But whenever you get lucky by chipping one in or hitting a tree to kick back onto the green to make par, that's like stealing.

"The golf course always wins, and this place hasn't surrendered yet."

Also firing a 66 yesterday was US PGA player Tom Joyce (221) while Bermuda's Scott Roy and American Jerry Bruner (212) both shot 65 in wet and trying conditions.

The spotlight also shone upon US PGA player John Traub (217) whose hole-in-one at the 110-yard, par-three fourth hole was also a hot topic for discussion back in the clubhouse.

Defending Gosling's Invitational champion PH Horgan III (207) continued his steady climb up the leaderboard. Horgan fired a three-under-par 67 to move into fourth spot behind Sims and Conley.

Bermuda's Daniel Augustus (214) solidified his position atop the open amateur field. Augustus shot a one-over-par 71 and now leads Jeffrey Lindo (223) by seven shots. Lindo struggled yesterday, carding a seven-over-par 77 to fall off the pace.

Noel Van Putten (225) continues to lead the senior field by three shots over Millard Beach (228), who carded his best round of the tournament yesterday with a three-over-par 73.

The event concludes today.