Rory Sabbatini fired a seven-under-par 63 to move to the top of the leaderboard after the third round of the Texas Open.

The South African had an eagle, six birdies and one bogey to reach the 54-hole mark at La Cantera Golf Club's Resort Course on 14-under 196, one shot ahead of Zach Johnson, who jumped into contention after signing for a flawless round of eight-under 62.

Tim Wilkinson, Tim Herron and Chris Stroud are three strokes back on 11-under 199. Wilkinson carded eight birdies for a 63, Herron fired a 67 and Stroud, who held a two-stroke overnight lead, shot 69.

Sabbatini began his day with a birdie and made the turn at one under before picking up six strokes coming in.

He eagled the par-four 11th and added three consecutive birdies starting from the 13th before making yet another birdie at the 18th to take the outright lead.

Johnson began the day in a tie for 22nd but the 2007 Masters champion birdied his first two holes, added three more on the front nine and another three on the back nine to take the clubhouse lead.

Defending champion Justin Leonard barely made the cut but made a move up the leaderboard in the third round with a 64 to improve to seven-under 203.