Chris Kirk is on track for his second PGA Tour win in 2013-14 after grabbing a one-shot lead after the Sony Open third round on Saturday.
The American, who won the McGladrey Classic in November, carded a five-under 65 to move into 12 under in Honolulu. Kirk's strong showing at the Waialae Country Club included six birdies and a bogey in good scoring conditions. Rookie Will Wilcox surged into contention with a six-under 64 to be tied for second with American countryman Harris English, who continued his consistent showing with a 67. Another pair of Americans in Jerry Kelly (66) and Jimmy Walker (67) are a further shot back in a tie for fourth, ahead of a group of seven players. Wilcox had yet to make a cut on the PGA Tour ahead of this event but he mixed seven birdies with a bogey to be in the hunt. The 27-year-old, seventh on the Web.com Tour season money list last campaign, produced a good round despite hitting just 13 greens in regulation. English carded rounds of 66 on the opening two days and a three-under 67 keeps him in the hunt heading into Sunday. Jeff Overton (65) and South African Retief Goosen (66) went through bogey-free to be at nine under. World number seven Zach Johnson carded his best round yet with a four-under 66 to be in the group tied for sixth. Overnight leader Brian Stuard (71) is among them, as is American Pat Perez (66), Australian Robert Allenby (65) and Japan's Hideto Tanihara (70). Australian world number two Adam Scott bogeyed two of his final three holes to finish with a one-over 71 and slip to tied for 27th. Fellow top 10 player Matt Kuchar (68) appears too far back at six under to threaten.