American Patrick Rodgers moved closer to his first US PGA Tour victory, and a place in the British Open, when he retained a two-stroke lead after the third round at the John Deere Classic in Illinois.
The former world No.1 amateur was not at his best, but a three-under-par 68 left him with the same advantage at the end of the day as when he started on Saturday.
Rodgers posted a 16-under 197 score at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, while fellow Americans Daniel Berger (63) and Scott Stallings (64) rocketed into second place on 14 under.
Sixteen players are lurking within five strokes of Rodgers, who will continue to play with an attacking mindset.
Australia's Stuart Appleby is six back from Rodgers after charging up the leaderboard with a seven-under 64 to sit at 10 under in a tie for 18th.
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Appleby's compatriot Cameron Percy is at nine under after a 66 and tied 27th.
"This is a nice course to play with the lead because you have to keep the pedal down all day," Rodgers told CBS television after his eight-foot par putt at the last sneaked in.
"Sixteen-under's not going to win tomorrow, so I need to go out and make a lot of birdies."
The winner on Sunday will earn a spot in next week's British Open
World No.20 Berger, already exempt for Royal Birkdale, continued his sizzling form, moving into contention for the third time in four starts.
He won the St Jude Classic in Memphis five weeks ago, before losing a playoff to Jordan Spieth at the Travelers Championship.
