Marc Leishman is well placed to celebrate Australia Day with a victory in the US PGA tour event at iconic Torrey Pines, where he feels right at home.
The 30-year-old Victorian is tied for second place, just one shot off the lead going into final round on Sunday (Monday AEDT).
Leishman ground out an even par 72 third round in tough course conditions to trail only big-hitting American Gary Woodland (70) who leads at eight-under 208.
Overnight leader Jordan Spieth (75) shares second place with Leishman while Americans Pat Perez (72) and Morgan Hoffman (72) are tied fourth at six-under.
There are 22 players, including Australian Jason Day (73), all within four shots of the lead at the southern California venue.
"I've been playing pretty well all week. I love this golf course," said Leishman who was runner-up in 2011 and ninth in 2012.
I think it's all the grasses I grew up on as a kid, Kikuyu fairways, poa greens and there's gum trees everywhere."
"It's long and tough, I like it when par's a good score. I always have a good feeling when I come here."
Leishman was excited about the synergy of Australia Day coinciding with the final round as he eyes a possible second US tour title.
"I hope there's something in that," he said.
"It would be great to play well tomorrow and win on Australia Day, but there's a lot of golf to play, especially on that course out there with how tough it is."
Day's round of 73 left him at four-under, still a chance to push for a victory from a tie for 13th.
"I feel like I've got a really hot putting round left in me," said world No.10 Day.
"If I can give myself the number of opportunities I know I am capable of and then the putter gets going then anything can happen."
World No.1 Tiger Woods, the defending champion and seven-time event winner shot an alarming round of 79, his worst on the venue by far, and exited in the third round cut.
Stuart Appleby was the only other Australian under par for the tournament after a round of 72 left him one-under.
Matt Jones tumbled 34 places after a dismal 77 dropped him to one-over and a tie for 54th.
Aaron Baddeley (76) and Steven Bowditch (77) fell outside the top 70 and were subject to the third round cut.
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