Jason Day says his 2015 victory at Torrey Pines taught him patience is key in chasing down a final-round lead on one of the US PGA Tour's toughest courses.
The former world No.1 carded a rock solid one-under-par 71 to climb to eight under and will start day four just three shots back of the lead.
Sweden's Alex Noren (69) set the 54-hole pace at 11 under. American Ryan Palmer (73) trails by one shot in second place with two players at nine under.
Queenslander Day believes his deficit is no cause for concern, having started the final round of the 2015 event two shots off the pace before sneaking into a playoff and winning.
"I was just really patient (in 2015). I just let things unfold, and even when I felt like things weren't really happening for me, I birdied the 16th, which was huge and that got me right back in it," Day told AAP.
With brute length and thick rough, Torrey Pines' south course was voted the second most difficult on the PGA Tour in 2016.
"I need to remind myself that you're never too far away at Torrey; even if you're one or two behind you're not too far from getting into a playoff or making a late run," Day, who is chasing his first US Tour win since May 2016, said.
"I'm excited about (Sunday) and nervous at the same time, but that's a good thing because it means you want it."
Marc Leishman (69), next best of the Australians at seven under, is also well in the mix and is confident of finally winning at Torrey Pines after a series of near misses that include two runner-ups.
But Australia's top-ranked golfer doesn't buy the former US Open venue's reputation as an impenetrable fortress.
"I'm almost the opposite; I find it a really frustrating course because I feel there are a lot of holes that set up well for me," Leishman said.
"I don't stand up on a lot of holes thinking how I can avoid bogey, but rather how can make birdie and that's a good feeling."
Recent Australian Open winner Cameron Davis (69) shares 25th at five under, while Brisbane native Cameron Smith (73) is tied 31st at four under.
Meanwhile, Tiger Woods (70) continues to defy the odds, moving to three under despite another wildly inconsistent series of tee shots.
The 14-time major winner hit just three of 14 fairways and nine of 18 greens in regulation but a razor-sharp short game has saved his first weekend play on the PGA Tour in more than two years from being ugly.
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