William McGirt, winless in four-plus years on the PGA Tour, shot 6-under-par 65 to take a two-stroke lead over Charlie Beljan and George McNeill heading into the final round of the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades.
The 34-year-old McGirt, whose only pro victory came in the 2007 Cabarrus Classic Championship on the Tar Heel Golf Tour, birdied five of the first six holes and eight of the first 13.
“I’ll take 65 anyday, especially around this place,” said McGirt, who finished second the last two years in the RBC Canadian Open. “(The course) is playing great; the fairways are really firming up. That opens it up to everybody. It’s not just a bomber’s paradise.
“I just have to hit the fairways and greens, and take advantage of my opportunities when I get them. I just want to play solid in the final round, make a few birdies, and maybe walk away with one.”
McNeill, who won the 2007 Frys.com Open and the 2012 Puerto Rico Open for his only PGA Tour victories, eagled the first hole en route to a 66, and Beljan, who lost to John Merrick in a playoff at Riviera last year, eagled No. 11 in a round of 68.
Monday qualifier Jason Allred, a 2002 graduate of Pepperdine, followed a second-round 64 with a 67 and was three shots back in a tie for fourth with left-hander Brian Harman, who eagled the first hole and recorded a 68.
Bubba Watson had the low round of the day, a bogey-free 64, and was four strokes behind in a tie for sixth that included Jordan Spieth, who shot 67, Dustin Johnson, who had a 69, and Jimmy Walker, winner of three of his last eight events, who came in at 67.
Also tied for sixth were 36-hole leader Sang-Moon Bae of South Korea, who shot 72, Charl Schwartzel of South Africa, who had a 68, and Cameron Tringale of Laguna Nigel, who posted a 67.
