New Zealander Danny Lee has taken a three-shot lead in the US PGA Tour's Phoenix Open in front of the largest crowd in golf history.
With an estimated 201,003 fans packing TPC Scottsdale's Stadium Course, Lee shot a four-under 67 third round to move clear of Rickie Fowler and Hideki Matsuyama who were tied second.
The previous largest crowd at the Stadium Course was 189,722 in 2014.
The tournament also set a day record Friday at 160,415, and has drawn 535,035 overall just behind the weekly mark of 564,368 set last year.
Lee had six birdies and two bogeys to reach 13-under 200.
"Two-hundred thousand?" Lee asked, making sure he heard the crowd figure right. "Wow! This is crazy."
The 25-year-old South Korean-born Kiwi won the Greenbrier Classic last year for his first PGA Tour title.
Fowler parred the final five holes for a 70 while Matsuyama had a 68.
Geoff Ogilvy had a round of one under to be the best-placed Australian at two under in a tie for 39th.
Lee said he was doing his best to soak up the tournament, having played in front of a combined crowed of more than half a million through the first three days.
He noted he's not getting the support of second-placed American Rickie Fowler.
"I'm just trying to enjoy myself and I am," Lee told reporters.
"It's so much fun out there, so many people just cheering for Rickie instead of me, unfortunately. But I'm having fun."
In Lee's previous three appearances at the Phoenix Open he has missed the cut, with his long game having struggled.
