Two former champions, Lee Brannon (2008) and Joey Tinsley (2009), are tied for the lead heading into the final round of the R.P. Shapard Jr. Griffin City Championship today after each shooting opening-round 69's Saturday at the Griffin City Golf Course.

Three shots back at even-par 72 is Brian Forshaw, while Jake Harpe and K.P. Smith sit four shots back at 73.

Tinsley, who birdied No. 1 and gave it back and then some with bogeys at No. 2 and 5, made the first big move of the day with birdies at No. 8, 9 and 10 to go to 2-under. Tinsley then birdied No. 14 and 15 to get it to 4-under before giving one back on the way in at No. 17.

“There was a premium on hitting it in the fairway,” said Tinsley, who besides his championship run in 2009 has also finished runner-up twice in the tournament — the first in 2005 and the second in 2010 when he lost a sudden-death playoff on the fifth hole.

Brannon, who played in a group with Tinsley, agreed the rough was a factor.

“The rough was rough,” said Brannon. “I had to make some up and downs to start with. But once I got comfortable I hit some good shots.”

Once he got traction, birdies followed at No. 5 and 9. He gave one back at No. 11 before an eagle at No. 15 left him at 3-under. Brannon bogeyed No. 17 but redeemed himself with a birdie at No. 18 to finish the round tied or the lead.

“I was chasing Joey all day and finally caught him on the last hole,” said Brannon, who missed a 10-foot eagle putt at No. 5 and lipped out another chance for eagle on No. 9.

Forshaw, who opened the round with back-to-back bogeys, somehow climbed back into contention during a round that can best be described as a roller coaster ride. He birdied No. 5 and 8 and eagled No. 9 to get to 2-under, before he birdied No. 11 to go to 3-under. However, he gave it all back with a bogey at No. 12 and a double bogey at 13. He played even from there in, throwing up a birdie at No. 15 and bogeys at 16 and 17 before a birdie at No. 18.

If either Tinsley or Brannon win the title today they will become the tournament's first two-time winner since Chris Rivers won 2000 and 2003. Since then there have been eight consecutive first-time winners.

The leaders tee off 10 a.m., Sunday. Joining them in the final pairing is Forshaw.