Former champion Brandt Snedeker defied difficult weather conditions to post the clubhouse lead in a suspended final round of the US PGA Tour tournament at Torrey Pines.
The 2012 winner fired an impressive three-under-par 69 in windy and wet conditions - the only one of 71 players on course to be under par for their round - and posted a six-under-par 282 tournament total.
With players pulled off the course for the third time in the round and play suspended into a Monday finish, Snedeker is tied second on the leaderboard with only American Jimmy Walker in front of him.
Snedeker birdied four of five holes early on his back nine to buck the trend on course and set up what would be a wild win given he started the day six behind the lead.
"It's like playing a British Open on a US Open setup. This course is so tough, it's blowing 25 miles an hour, gusting out there and windy and rainy conditions, it's really tough," Snedeker said.
"I wish I could say why I shot what I shot today, it was one of those days where you throw everything out of your mind and go play golf and grind and as best as you possibly could."
Walker is one over through 10 holes to be seven-under, hoping to survive the wild conditions that have the current scoring average at 78.
High winds are forecast again tomorrow.
Overnight co-leader KJ Choi joins Snedeker at six-under having also played 10 holes.
Australian Aaron Baddeley looked a chance after playing his opening nine holes in even par and getting as high as a tie for sixth only to have a bogey train derail his hopes.
Three bogeys on 10, 11 and 12 sent the Victorian down to two-under overall through 14 holes and in a tie for ninth.
"It was a really tough day out there, what Brandt did was very special," Baddeley said.
The three-time tour winner is chasing a return to the tour full time after losing his status last season.
"If I can somehow birdie 16 and 17 and get a chance for eagle on the last tomorrow who knows," he said.
"But more importantly I need to make sure I get a good finish, secure some FedEx cup points and keep this momentum moving forward into next week."
Matt Jones is the next-best Australian at six-over for the week while 17-year-old Ryan Ruffels is six over on his round through 15 holes to be seven over.
John Senden is 12 over.
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