Kyle Stanley moved closer to his first US PGA Tour victory as he shot a 68 to hold a five shot lead going into the final round of the Farmers Insurance at Torrey Pines.
Stanley's round included five birdies and one bogey to move to 18 under ahead of rookie John Huh and three-time champion John Rollins.
Bill Haas and Bae Sang-moon are a shot further adrift but Stanley has a formidable lead as he seeks his breakthrough victory.
The last first-time winner at the Farmers Insurance Open was Jay Don Blake in 1991 and Stanley said: "I've never had (a third-round lead) - especially one this big.
"I'm real happy with where I'm at but I still have to go out there tomorrow and just keep playing golf."
Stanley's three-round total of 198 tied Tiger Woods for the 54-hole record at Torrey Pines.
Woods led by eight strokes entering the final round that Sunday in 2008 and ended up winning by the same margin.
Rollins, who also shot a 68, said: "He's clearly playing well and in control of his game.
"I can only console myself and my game. That's what I'm going to do.
"Just go out and maybe make a few early birdies and try to get some heat on him and see what happens. Anything can happen on this golf course."
Haas, the reigning FedEx Cup champ who took a share of the lead into the final round at Torrey Pines last year, is tied for fourth at 12 under after a 70.
Also at that number is rookie Bae, who was in the mix a week ago in the California desert and rebounded from a front-nine 40 to shoot 72.
Jonas Blixt leads the European challenge on 11 under, with Justin Rose on seven under after a 70.
