Not even two early bogeys could faze Paul Azinger as he maintained a five-stroke lead after Saturday's third round of the $2.9 million Sony Open in Hawaii.

Bidding for his first win since 1993, Azinger bogeyed two of the first four holes at the Waialae Country Club but rebounded with five birdies and a bogey thereafter as he carded a two-under-par 68 on a blustery day where only 16 players shot under par.

Keith Nolan had made his exit on Friday. Despite a fine recovery from five over par early in his round to end with a 71, just one over par for the round, his aggregate 141 was one shot outside the cut, which was made on the par figure of 140.

By the end of the third round Azinger, who has led after each of the first two rounds, stood at 14-under 196, five shots ahead of Sweden's Jesper Parnevik and Australia's Stuart Appleby.

Parnevik entered the round seven shots back but birdied the last two holes for a 66. Appleby also birdied 17 and 18 and shot 68.

Tom Lehman was tied for 24th but birdied the final three holes to record a bogey-free 65 for the best round of the day. He and Scott Dunlap were tied for third, six strokes off the pace and one ahead of 1998 champion John Huston and Jerry Kelly.