Marc Leishman hopes a series of near misses at Torrey Pines have taught him the patience to close out the Farmers Insurance Open.
The 33-year-old moved to seven under with a four-under 68 at the US PGA Tour's La Jolla tournament, two shots behind the 54-hole lead set by Patrick Rodgers (67) and defending champion Brandt Snedeker (70).
Big-hitting American Tony Finau is a shot back at eight under and shares third place with Chinese Taipei's Cheng Tsung Pan going into the final round.
Overnight leader Justin Rose stumbled to a one-over 73 to share fifth place with Leishman and six others.
Victorian native Leishman has come agonisingly close in previous starts at the former US Open course near San Diego, sharing second place in 2014 and 2010, as well ninth in 2011.
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As Leishman searches for his first US PGA Tour victory since the 2012 Travelers Championship, the Warrnmabool golfer says he's learned only cool heads prevail on a course which held the 2008 US Open.
"I've learned a lot from not winning here; guys don't get too far ahead, so if you make an early bogey it's important to be mentally tough," said Leishman.
"You have to be patient on a US Open course with bumpy greens."
After recent progress with his sports psychologist Neil Smith, Leishman is relishing a spot in Sunday's penultimate group with Pan and American Pat Perez.
"I feel like I'm in a pretty good spot mentally. I feel happy with where my game's at," said Leishman.
"(Torrey Pines) is a place I love coming to and knowing I've contended here before helps. I look forward to it every year and it'd be huge if I could pull it off."
Youngster Cameron Smith is next best of the four remaining Australians, sitting at two under and two shots ahead of veteran John Senden.
Cameron Percy finished at one over after signing for a four-over 76.
Snedeker, Rodgers and Finau will comprise the final group.
