Sepp Straka shot an 8-under 64 on while his top competitors failed to match his sizzling pace at The American Express.

The No. 223-ranked New Zealander birdied the final two holes to shoot 2-under 70 and take a one-stroke lead into the final round.

The Australian veteran who was once world No. 1 had three chip-ins in Thursday's round and stayed hot Friday to go to 14-under

PGA Tour veteran Charley Hoffman and the Philippines' Rico Hoey each shot 9-under-par 63 at the Nicklaus Tournament Course on Friday to split the 36-hole lead at The American Express in La Quinta, Calif.

Sepp Straka shot an 8-under 64 on Saturday while his top competitors failed to match his sizzling pace, staking the Austrian to a four-shot lead

PGA Tour veteran Charley Hoffman and the Philippines Rico Hoey share the lead at The American Express at halfway; former major winner Jason Day remains in the mix; watch the third round from 7pm on Saturday,

US golfer Charley Hoffman and Filipino player Rico Hoey shot a pair of 63s to take the halfway lead at The American Express tournament in California.

LA QUINTA – The last two times Sepp Straka played in The American Express, a 23-under score – somebody else’s – won the tournament. Is it his turn this time?

Sepp Straka’s game has been almost as clean as his head through three rounds at The American Express. Straka shot an 8-under 64 on Saturday in his third straight bogey-free round, staking the newly bald Austrian to a four-shot lead ahead of Charley Hoffman,

Leading scores after the third round of the PGA Tour's American Express tournament in La Quinta, California, on Saturday (USA unless stated; par-72):

Sepp Straka has a four-stroke lead after the third round of the American Express. Straka shot a 64 at the La Quinta Country Club to put him over Charley Hoffman, Jason Day, and Justin Lower, who are all tied in second at 19-under.