Concord, N.C. – Dykes Harbin of Augusta, Ga. struggled midway through his round on day two at the eGolf Gateway Tour’s 12th annual Cabarrus Classic on Thursday, trying his best to follow up a 9-under-par 63 with yet another stellar effort.

On a day when scoring was more difficult at host Cabarrus Country Club, Harbin overcame a sluggish six-hole stretch during his round with birdies over three of his final four holes for a second-round 69 and a 12-under 132 total, good for a one-shot lead heading into Friday’s third and final round of the tour’s longest-standing event.

The former University of South Carolina golfer opened his week at the 1962 George Cobb design with a stunning 63, one off the course record of 62 – set by Web.com Tour member Ted Brown in the tour’s 2008 Southern Open.

Starting on the front nine on day two, Harbin played ideal golf out of the gate with birdies on Nos. 1 and 3 to ascend to a comfortable 11-under par – at the time five shots clear of the field.

“I got off to a great start today, but then had a little lull after that,” said Harbin. “I got loose with a few shots and maybe rushed a few shots.”

Bogeys on Nos. 5, 6, 9 and 10 minimized a birdie on the par-5 eighth and left the Gamecock diehard at 1-over on the day, moving slowly backwards down the leaderboard.

“I got on 11 tee box, and I was like, ‘I’ve got to birdie this hole,’” he said. “I did, and that kind of got me going.”

Corey Nagy

A birdie on the par-5 11th took Harbin back to even par on the day, but it was torrid finish with birdies on 15, 17 and 18 – the last coming courtesy of a Texas wedge from off the green – that put him back in the lead at 12-under par with a second-round 69.

“I just wanted to get my par and get out of there on 18, so I just used a putter and it wound up hitting the pin and going in,” Harbin said after his round. “I’ve been putting aggressively this week, and a lot of them have been going in, so I’m just going to keep that mindset and play smart. It was good to finish like that, because I wasn’t playing great. It was tough today.”

Harbin, who hasn’t held an overnight lead going into a final round since the 2012 AutoTrader.com Collegiate Classic (which he won), will take a one-shot lead into Friday’s final round – but in possession of a solid four-shot lead over third place.

The 24-year-old lost in a playoff at the Mid Pines Classic in March, but rallied two months ago with a come-from-behind victory at the Willow Creek Open, where birdies on his final two holes delivered a one-shot win over good friend Drew Weaver and Cam Burke.

At No. 7 on the tour’s money list with $35,879 in earnings, Harbin has had a breakout 2015 season, posting six top-25 finishes overall – including five straight entering the week in Concord.

“I can’t make any mistakes – it’s as simple as that. You can make some bogeys here and there, you just have to stay away from those sixes,” said Harbin of his strategy entering Friday. “I just want to have fun, play aggressive and try to get it done.”

Former UNC Charlotte star and 2011 eGolf Gateway Tour leading money winner Corey Nagy of Charlotte, N.C. is in solo-second place, one shot back of Harbin at 11-under 133.

Nagy, who notched three wins during his 2011 campaign to clip PGA TOUR member Jason Kokrak for the money title, posted a bogey-free 66 on Wednesday to sit tied for third entering round two – four shots behind Harbin.

The 26-year-old maintained his error-free ways on Thursday, posting five birdies and 13 pars for a 5-under 67 to pose the closest threat to Harbin.

Nagy was a member of the Web.com Tour from 2012 through 2014, where his opening year was shortened due to a bout with vertigo before the 2013 season unfolded, where he posted three top-25 finishes.

Back on the eGolf Gateway Tour part-time this year, the four-time 49er “All America” selection has posted two top-25 finishes, with a T10 at the Nova Tax Group Open serving as his best effort.

Richard Fountain of Raleigh, N.C. and newcomer Caleb Sturgeon of Laurens, S.C. are tied for third, four shots back of the lead at 8-under 136.

Fountain, who earned his first tour title at last month’s Spring Creek Classic, finished eagle-birdie on Nos. 8 and 9 for a second-round 70, which paired alongside an opening 66 for an 8-under tally.

Richard Fountain

After a solid rookie year which featured six top-25 finishes, the 23-year-old former Davidson golfer has had an up-and-down sophomore season on tour, notching three top-10s – including the win in Virginia.

Sturgeon, 22, finished a standout career at the University of South Carolina last month, where his 72.49 scoring average ranked third on one of the top teams in NCAA golf for the 2014-15 season.

After a 4-under 68 on Wednesday, Sturgeon birdied four of his first five holes in the second round en route to another matching 68 for his 136 total.

The 36-hole cut fell at 2-under 142, with 30 players making it through to Friday’s final round.

Final-round play will begin at 8:00 AM on Friday morning, with players competing in threesomes off of Nos. 1 and 10 tees. The tournament is open to the public and free of charge.