Charl Schwartzel remained in contention for a first win on US soil since his 2011 Masters Tournament triumph as William McGirt established a two shot lead at the Northern Trust Open.
American McGirt had eight birdies and two bogeys in his third round 65 at Riviera Country Club, advancing to 12 under par in the process.
That was two shots ahead of compatriots George McNeill and Charlie Beljan, with South African Schwartzel part of a group two shots further back in a tie for sixth.
Schwartzel might have been even closer to the lead after starting his day with an eagle three at the first, but the nine-time European Tour winner mixed three bogeys with four birdies over the next 17 holes.
England’s Lee Westwood matched Schwartzel’s third round 68 to lie six under with one round to play, with Ernie Els on four under and Justin Rose and Victor Dubuisson amongst those a shot further back.
