Ernie Els established the PGA Tour's 54-hole scoring record, but still could not pull away from KJ Choi in Hawaii.
On another ideal day for scoring at normally blustery Kapalua, Els carded an eight-under-par 65 for a two-shot lead over the Korean after the third round of the season-opening Mercedes Championships.
Els double-bogeyed the 17th hole but parred the 18th for a three-round total of 25 under par 195, one lower than the record, in relation to par, John Cook set at the 1996 St Jude Classic and Mark Calcavecchia matched at the 2001 Phoenix Open.
Choi ended the day as the only player within six shots of the South African, setting a Plantation Course record with a bogey-free 11-under-par 62.
Steve Pate shot a 63 in 1997 and David Duval matched it in 1999.
Retief Goosen is in third place at 18 under on 201 after signing for a 66, while Bob Estes, Jerry Kelly and Chris Riley are tied for fourth on 202.
