Jordan Spieth will go into the final round of the Dean & Deluca Invitational with a one-shot lead after a third-round five under par 65 at Colonial Country Club.
The world number two was not firing on all cylinders as he managed to land on only three of 14 fairways and 11 of 18 greens in regulation but he still managed to make six birdies, only blotting his scorecard on the final hole.
His bogey at the last, after missing a par-putt from less than 10ft, was not enough to knock him off the top of the leaderboard and he will have the chance to claim a maiden victory in Texas on the PGA Tour.
Nevertheless, the 22-year-old from Dallas holds the slimmest of advantages over 2012 US Open champion Webb Simpson and their fellow American Ryan Palmer, who are on 11 under par overall.
The pair matched Spieth’s birdie total but Simpson carded three bogeys en route to a second successive 67 while Palmer dropped shots at the fourth and fifth in his round of 66.
One shot further back are Harris English, Kyle Reifers and Martin Piller while 2013 US PGA Championship winner Jason Dufner is three off the lead in seventh place.
Overnight leader Bryce Molder faltered after following up bogeys on two of his final three holes in completing his second round with a level par 70 on Saturday.
The 37-year-old from Arkansas, whose only PGA Tour win came when he defeated Briny Baird to lift the Frys.com Open in 2011, was out in 29 and 30 on the front nine in his first two rounds but he could not produce any more magic as he began his third.
For the second time in a day, he dropped shots at the 16th and 18th and is now in a tie for ninth, five shots adrift of Spieth.
Matt Kuchar also lies on seven under after his 63, the best round of the day, saw him surge up the leaderboard.
