Stanley surges clear
American equals 54-hole record after steady 68
Last Updated: January 28, 2012 11:35pm
Kyle Stanley: Solid round took him five clear on Saturday
American Kyle Stanley will take a five-stroke lead into the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.
Third round leaderboard
(US unless stated)
-18 K Stanley
-13 J Huh
-13 J Rollins
-12 SM Bae (Kor) SC
-12 B Haas
-11 J Tringale
-11 B Snedeker
-11 J Blixt (Swe)
Click here for full collated scores
Stanley, seeking a first win in his second season on tour, led by a single shot at the halfway stage but did not have to do anything spectacular to earn his huge advantage, a four-under 68 seeing him surge clear.
Two birdies on the outward nine saw him consolidate his lead as closest pursuers Brandt Snedeker (74) and Sang-Moon Bae (72) gave up ground with disappointing rounds.
The 24-year-old picked up his third birdie of the day from 10 feet at the 10th before giving it back two holes later after overshooting the green, although that proved to be his only blemish of the day.
Two more birdies coming home gave him a share of the 54-hole tournament record with Tiger Woods at 18-under, and it could have been even better had he not missed from four feet at the final hole.
Korean-American John Huh, competing in only his second PGA Tour event after earning his card at qualifying school in December, returned a 68 to share second place with American John Rollins who carded a similar number.
Sang-moon was a further stroke back at 12-under, level with last year's FedExCup champion Bill Haas, who returned a 70.
Defending champion Bubba Watson carded a 68 to finish at eight under, level with fellow American Dustin Johnson (70) and one better than Britain's Justin Rose (70).
