Pat Perez keeps getting better every day.
The 41-year-old Perez, from San Diego, carded an 8-under-par 64 to build a four-stroke lead over Xander Schauffele heading to the final round of the CIMB Classic on the West Course at TPC Kuala Lumpur in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Perez, who started with scores of 66-65, is at 21-under 195 for 54 holes.
“These guys are so good and you can make so many birdies out there so fast, and I know that,” said Perez, who made six of his nine birdies on the back nine. “So if I can get another six (birdies) tomorrow, I might be tough to catch.
“ … I didn’t really hit it that great, but I putted well again. You know, I’m just kind of getting the most out of my game right now. It’s the same greens I won on in Mexico (in the 2016 OHL Classic at Mayakoba), so I really can see the line and I can see the ball in the wind here. … Things are just clicking right now.”
Schauffele, also from San Diego, eagled the 10th hole in a second straight 67, while Sung Kang of Sough Korea shot 65 and is five shots behind in solo third.
Third-ranked Hideki Matsuyama of Japan recorded a 63 that was the best round of the day and is another shot back in a tie for fourth with Keegan Bradley, who totaled 65, while Anirban Lahari is nine down in solo sixth after a 64.
Ollie Schneiderjans posted a 65 and is another stroke back in a tie for eighth with Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand, who had a 66, while Peter Uihlein had a 66 and is 11 behind in a tie for eighth with Lucas Glover (68), Danny Lee (68) of New Zealand and Rafa Cabrera Bello of Spain (69).
Two-time defending champion Justin Thomas shot 69 and is tied for 24th.
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