Sunday 24 July 2016 19:14, UK
Brandt Snedeker took a confident step towards a second RBC Canadian Open title with an impressive finish as he carded a six-under par third round 66.
The 35-year-old - looking to repeat his 2013 victory in the event at Glen Abbey in Ontario - finished with an eagle on the 18th after a birdie on the 16th to lead by one shot on nine-under overall.
Snedeker had made a storming start having been in tied 15th overnight, scoring five birdies in a row between holes two and six.
But it was his three-under return on the final three holes which ensured he was ahead after 54 holes as he bids for his second title of 2016 following a win at the Farmers Insurance Open in February.
A home player sits directly behind Snedeker - Canadian amateur Jared du Toit - after his steady two-under 70 moved him to eight-under.
He also finished superbly, the 21-year-old rolling in a 40-foot eagle attempt to ensure he will partner Snedeker in the final pairing of the final day.
"I think I'm going to be the most-hated man in Canada tomorrow, but it's going to be a lot of fun trying to figure it out," said Snedeker, the 2013 winner on the same course.
Having shared the lead following each of the first two rounds, Dustin Johnson joined Du Toit one shot adrift after a birdie on the last gave him a one-under 71.
"I'm honestly just out here to have some fun and enjoy the atmosphere," du Toit said. "Obviously, I want to play well on Sunday, but it's kind of my first go at it. Win or lose, I'm happy with the way this week's gone."
Johnson, world No 2, had endured a frustrating round up to that point and dropped shots on 14 and 15.
That had been set to leave him as the only player in the top 11 not to break par on the day until he salvaged a share of second at the death.
"I had a rough day on the greens," Johnson said. "It didn't feel like I was hitting bad putts. I don't know, ball was not going in the hole."
Steve Wheatcroft was poised to sit on seven-under by himself after an eight-under total of 64 confirmed he will start Sunday just two shots behind Snedeker.
He also eagled the last, along with four birdies and a bogey on both the front and back nines helping him to the lowest 18-hole total of the tournament so far.
Germany's Alex Cejka, however, holed a birdie putt on the 18th even longer than Du Toit's two-shot gain there to move alongside Wheatcroft.
There is also British interest towards the top end of the leaderboard, with Scotland's Martin Laird tied for sixth place. A four-under 68 thrust him into a group of six players lurking three strokes off the pace.
Watch live coverage of the final round of the RBC Canadian Open on Sky Sports 4 HD from 6pm on Sunday.
