Brandt Snedeker will take a three-shot lead into the final round of the 2018 Safeway Open on Sunday as he attempts to capture his second PGA Tour victory in six weeks.
Snedeker fired a three-under 69 to maintain the lead he built in round 2 on Friday, but he had to close out his third round with three-straight birdies to do so.
He got into red numbers early with a birdie at the par-4 3rd hole at Silverado. That moved him to 14 under. But two bogeys and one birdie later, Snedeker found himself back at 13 under with just three holes to play. He two-putted for birdie at 16 and 18, both par-5s, and sank a 7-footer for birdie at 17.
The three-birdie finish left Snedeker three shots clear of Kevin Tway, who birdied two of his last three to stay within striking distance. Phil Mickelson began the day just three back, but a disappointing 74 on Saturday dropped him down the leaderboard and out of contention.
Mickelson is T15, eight shots behind the leader. Among those tied with Phil is 59-year-old Fred Couples. Couples shot an impressive 65 on Friday to make his 500th cut on Tour.
If Snedeker can hold on to his lead on Sunday, he will capture the 10th victory of his career. It will also mark his second win in 2018. He previously won the Wyndham Championship in August.
