San Martin - Brooks Koepka fired a four-under 67 on Saturday to take his lead to two strokes after three rounds of the Frys.com Open, where he's seeking a first US PGA Tour title.
The 23-year-old, who has European Tour status after winning three times this year on Europe's Challenge Tour developmental circuit, had six birdies and two bogeys to build a 54-hole total of 15-under 198, two strokes in front of George McNeill and Jason Kokrak.
Kokrak carded a 68 while McNeill climbed the leaderboard with a course-record equaling nine-under par 62 for 200.
Jimmy Walker also notched a 62 at CordeValle Golf Club, and was in a group on 201 alongside former world number one and three-time major champion Vijay Singh of Fiji and American Robert Garrigus.
Singh posted a 65, while Garrigus carded a 68.
While Koepka's success on the Challenge Tour has earned his playing privileges on the European Tour, the Floridian could earn US PGA Tour status with a win on Sunday.
The $5 million tournament, formerly part of the season-ending "Fall Finish," is this year the first event in the US Tour's new-style 2013-2014 season, with FedEx Cup playoff points on offer and a Masters berth for the winner.
"I've just got to approach it the same way," Koepka told the Golf Channel of his strategy for Sunday. "We've got a good game plan and things seem to be going pretty well. I just have to stick to it and everything will take care of itself."
Kokrak birdied his last two holes on Saturday to get into the final group on Sunday.
His round was highlighted by an eagle at the par-four first, where he holed out from 130 yards.
Kokrak, who is also chasing his first US PGA Tour title, was runner-up here last year to Sweden's Jonas Blixt.
McNeill had 10 birdies and one bogey in his 62.
"It was a lot of fun," he said. "Sixty-two, I don't know how it could ever not be fun."
Walker also had 10 birdies and a lone bogey as he tied the course record he set himself in the final round last year.