Billy Mayfair, the only player to beat Tiger Woods in a play-off on the US PGA Tour, won't have to worry about the world number one on Sunday.
While Woods sensationally missed the cut at the Quail Hollow Championship, Mayfair opened a two-stroke lead after the third round on Saturday.
Solid rather than spectacular, he carded a one-under-par 71 to give himself a chance of becoming the first Monday qualifier to win on the PGA Tour since 1986.
He posted a nine-under 207 total, with fellow Americans Phil Mickelson (71) and Davis Love (68) equal second on seven-under.
Mayfair, who lost his exempt status when he finished 157th on last year's money list, won a Monday qualifier at a nearby course, earning one of just four spots awarded into the tournament.
"I shot 65 on Monday and made some putts. When you start doing that, it gives you some confidence and I just tried to keep that confidence going," he said.
"It was the hardest day of the three so far," he said. "The greens were a little bit bumpier and firmer and it was very difficult to get the ball close to the hole.
"I kept the ball in play except for one bad drive (at No. 7) and hit a lot of good shot into the greens and kept the ball below the hole as much as I could. I'm making the putts I need to keep the momentum going."
Mayfair, 43, has won five times on tour, most recently in 1998. It has been a long drought.
"Today was a big day for me," he continued. "To go out and there and have the lead and still have the lead going into the fourth round will give me a lot of confidence and make me sleep a little bit better tonight. If I play well I've got a great chance of winning.
"I don't think you ever lose that winning feeling, even though it's been a long time.
"I'm trying not to think about it obviously. I've still got a lot of golf left with a lot of great players behind me but obviously you put yourself in this position and you want to take advantage of it."
Masters champion Mickelson remained in touch despite a mediocre round.
"I didn't have it today," he said. "I didn't have great control over my ball-striking and missed a number of putts that I probably could have made.
"But I controlled the misses, kept the round in check and because of the difficult conditions was able to shoot a number that kept me in contention.
"I'll be able to talk to (coach Butch Harmon), work on it in the morning and hopefully get it turned around."
Love, meanwhile, was the only player among the top six to break 70 as he seeks to post his 21st victory on tour.
"It was a good solid day of scoring and I'm just happy to have holed a few putts," he said.
Argentina's Angel Cabrera (73) was part of a trio three strokes behind, with Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy among a group four back after the day's best score of 66.
Eleven players were within four strokes of the lead.
Copyright 2010  AFP Global Edition
