Chris Riley recorded a 3-under-par 68 on Friday to increase his lead at the Nationwide Tour's Chitimacha Louisiana Open.

Riley, the winner of the 2002 Reno-Tahoe Open, moved to 9-under 133 and three strokes clear of Gavin Coles (66) and Scott Dunlap (68). The three-stroke margin equals the largest 36-hole lead at the 17-year event, set on three occasions and most recently by John Wilson in 1998.

"I feel good," said Riley, who missed just one of 13 fairways and connected on 13 of 18 greens in regulation. "I played pretty solid again today."

Riley regularly practices at the par-71 Le Triomphe Country Club when he is in town visiting his wife's (Michelle Louviere) family. His play so far this week has resembled those stress-free practice sessions, as he has posted just two bogeys through 36 holes -- both coming at the par-4 14th hole.

In addition to his comfort on the course, he also seems to be settling in to life on the Nationwide Tour -- even if temporarily as he seeks to regain the PGA TOUR card he has held since the 1999 season.

"I feel pretty comfortable out here," said Riley, winner of the 2007 Rochester Area Charities Showdown at Somerby. "I'm a lot more relaxed ... although the competition is still tough."

Riley began his round on the 10th hole and immediately posted four consecutive pars and a bogey, but he rallied by draining 20-foot birdie putts on Nos. 16 and 18, and then added birdies on the first and seventh holes to put some distance between his nearest competitors.

"I wanted a couple more birdies but 3-under is still 3-under," said Riley. "My whole goal is to be here (in the lead) on the back nine on Sunday. Hopefully I'll play well enough tomorrow so I'll have some shots to play with on Sunday."

Michael Bradley (68) and Richard S. Johnson (69) rounded out the top five at three strokes back. Tour rookie Matthew Every (68) and Aussie Greg Chalmers (67) are among a group of eight players who are five shots behind Riley.