Dustin Johnson will defend a four-shot lead in the final round of the WGC-Mexico Championship after he overcame tree trouble on moving day to increase his overnight advantage.
The American world No.3 almost threw away his big lead on the par-4 10th hole when he hit the trees three times on his way to a double bogey.
"I didn't let it bother me because I knew I was playing well and there were plenty of holes I could make birdie," Johnson said.
And he was right.
Johnson responded with back-to-back birdies and signed for a five-under 66, which included an eagle two at the second hole, to be 16-under 197 after the third round at Chapultepec Golf Club.
A winner of this event two years ago, Johnson, the only player to capture all four World Golf Championships, is going for his sixth WGC title and his 20th career victory on the PGA Tour, which would make him a lifetime member at age 34.
His closest challenger is Rory McIlroy, who got no closer than two shots of Johnson and had to settle for a three-under 68.
The Northern Irishman's up-and-down day included seven birdies and four bogeys.
"DJ is playing very well. He seems to be comfortable on this golf course. He's going to be very tough to beat," McIlroy said.
"Tomorrow I'm going to have to go out there and probably shoot something similar to what I shot the first day (63) to have a chance."
Australian Cameron Smith is on track for another hefty pay day with a three-under 68 taking him to nine under and a share of third.
The Queenslander had two birdies on each nine and made a bogey on the par-4 eighth.
He is in a group of four with Spain's Sergio Garcia (69) and Americans Patrick Reed (64) and Patrick Cantlay (65).
Tiger Woods pulled to within four shots after Johnson's blunder until a four-putt double bogey and a three-putt bogey on consecutive holes.
His 70 left him 10 shots off the pace in a share of ninth.
Matt Kuchar's hopes for a Mexican sweep of PGA Tour events fizzled with an eight-over 79 dropping him 28 spots after he started Saturday tied second.
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