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Palm Springs - American Patrick Reed fired a nine-under-par 63 for the third straight day to improve his lead to seven strokes after the third round of the Humana Challenge on Saturday.
Reed, who is looking for his second career USPGA Tour win, has a three day total of 27-under 189 which sets the record for lowest 54-hole score in relation to par in US tour history.
"It means a lot, but I'd rather set 72-hole records and year-end records," Reed said. "It's always good to have a 54-hole lead, especially with the one we have right now. We still have a lot of work to do and we have 18 holes tomorrow to get it done."
Charley Hoffman (66) and Brendon Todd (68) are tied for second at 20-under 196 at the PGA West golf club in La Quinta, 41 kilometres (25 miles) southeast of Palm Springs.
Sunday's final round will be played at the Arnold Palmer Private course which is one of three courses being used in the Pro-Am tournament. The other two are the Jack Nicklaus Private and La Quinta Country Club courses.
Reed played at PGA West's Jack Nicklaus Private Course Saturday. James Driscoll (66) is in sole possession of fourth at 19-under. Bill Haas (67) and Justin Leonard (65) are a stroke back of Driscoll.
Reed, who started at the 10th, came into Saturday's round with a two-shot lead over Todd. He quickly added to his advantage with a birdie on his first hole.
He drained another birdie at the 13th to move to 20-under and then tacked on another birdie at the 14th to extend his lead to five strokes.
An eagle at the 16th moved him to 23-under and gave him a commanding seven-stroke lead at the turn.
Reed went on to stick his approach to about five feet at the ninth and knocked in another birdie effort.
Reed said he not only wants to blow the field away on Sunday but he also wants to reach 62.
"To me it feels like a Monday, it's an 18-hole shootout and we all start at even par," Reed said.
"I plan on going out and trying to beat the whole field tomorrow, and make my lead not only bigger, but try to get that 62. I've had three days where I've had a chance to get 62 and I keep walking away with 63."
Scores after Saturday's third round of the $5.7m US PGA Tour Humana Challenge at the PGA West complex (par-72, USA unless noted):
189 - Patrick Reed 63-63-63
196 - Charley Hoffman 64-66-66, Brendon Todd 65-63-68
197 - James Driscoll 68-63-66
198 - Justin Leonard 66-67-65, Bill Haas 65-66-67
199 - Ben Crane 70-64-65, Will MacKenzie 67-66-66, Ryan Palmer 64-65-70, Matt Jones (AUS) 66-67-66, Brian Stuard 67-66-66
200 - Seung-Yul Noh (KOR) 68-66-66, Charlie Beljan 68-64-68, Keegan Bradley 69-66-65
201 - Jason Bohn 70-65-66, Zach Johnson 65-68-68, Chad Collins 68-68-65
202 - Stuart Appleby (AUS) 66-69-67, Jerry Kelly 69-65-68, Rory Sabbatini (RSA) 68-67-67, Jonathan Byrd 68-69-65, Matt Every 65-68-69, Russell Knox (GBR) 65-70-67, Scott Langley 69-68-65
