Nick Dunlap has a three-shot lead heading into the final round of the American Express as he seeks the first victory by a PGA Tour amateur in 33 years.
The 20-year-old University of Alabama student made 10 birdies and an eagle in the third round of 60 to lead at 27 under in California.
This equates to the lowest lap achieved by an amateur in a tour event, equaling Patrick Cantlay’s record.
The last player to win as an amateur on the tour was Phil Mickelson in 1991.
Playing by invitation from a sponsor, Dunlap is the first amateur to qualify at the American Express and, although he is not eligible to collect the $1.5 million prize money ($1.2 million pounds sterling), a victory would guarantee his PGA Tour card for two years. .
His round of 60 matched Cantlay’s 2011 Travelers Championship mark, but Dunlap’s score of 12 under par set a new amateur record.
“I made a lot of putts,” said Dunlap, who admitted that shooting a 59 crossed his mind late.
“The putter felt really good. I don’t think I missed anything that I should have done.
“I don’t have any negative points after this round. I did everything pretty well.”
Today’s leader, Sam Burns, is three shots behind Dunlap after a 65 on the Stadium Course, one of three used for the tournament and site of the final round, where Justin Thomas – who represented the University of Alabama in 2012 – tied the course record with a 61 to sit one stroke further back.
South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout is the only other player within six shots of the lead.
