Rocco Mediate, the highest-ranked player in the field, has put himself in position to win his first US PGA Tour event in nearly 21 months.
Mediate birdied the first three holes in a six-under 66 third round to open a two-shot lead over Mark Calcavecchia in the Greater Greensboro Classic.
Ranked 17th in the world, Mediate is on 15-under 201 at the Forest Oaks Country Club as he chases his fifth career victory and first since the Buick Open in August 2000. One of his wins came at the 1993 Greater Greensboro Open.
"You couldn't ask for a better start," he said. "I just kept it going. I made mistakes and came back with a birdie on number seven and just kept rolling."
Calcavecchia, who began the day tied for the lead with Robert Gamez, is on 13-under 203, two shots ahead of Chad Campbell, who also carded a 66 to match Mediate for the low score of the round.
Calcavecchia has played well when trailing, winning five of his 10 career titles in come-from-behind fashion.
"I don't mind being two behind," said Calcavecchia, who beat Mediate by eight strokes at last year's Phoenix Open.
"I would rather be two ahead, but there's been a ton of tournaments won from two behind, so I still have a good chance."
Mediate added: "I'm definitely the hunted one now, and that's fine. It's fun to be hunted every once in a while."
Gamez struggled to a one-over 73 and dropped into a tie for fourth with Jonathan Kaye, six shots off the pace.
PA