Honolulu's Parker McLachlin barely broke a sweat in West Virginia's muggy weather yesterday, pushing his advantage to seven shots entering today's final round of the Nationwide Tour National Mining Association Pete Dye Classic at Bridgeport.

McLachlin, who represents Waikoloa, shot an opening-round 9-under-par 63 to bolt into first and has added to his lead with consecutive rounds of 68. His 199 total is seven ahead of Kris Blanks (67), Jimmy Walker (68), Scott Parel (70) and Matthew Jones (71).

"Already this week has been a great confidence-builder — 17-under after three rounds," said McLachlin, a Punahou alum. "This will give me great confidence for my last seven PGA tournaments. Tomorrow I'm going to go out and do exactly the same things I've been doing, and make sure I dot the i's and cross the t's."

McLachlin was a rookie last year on the Nationwide Tour and had two seconds, finishing 29th on the money list. He qualified for the PGA Tour this year and is currently 156th on the money list with $303,000. His best finish is a tie for 16th.

Only the top 144 were eligible for the four tour events that comprise the playoffs, so McLachlin returned to the Nationwide to work on his game before the final seven tournaments of the PGA Tour season. Despite missing the cut in five of his last seven starts, McLachlin was optimistic after recent lessons with instructor Peter Kostis.

"This week it has felt easy," McLachlin said. "That's why you work so hard. ... I had a feeling my game was coming around. I really felt like I was going to break out at any moment and it just so happens it's this week."