Scott McCarron, playing at his home course, will carry a one-shot lead into the final round of the Reno-Tahoe Open.
The 45-year-old American, three times a winner on the PGA Tour, made four birdies and an eagle during his front nine but let a shot slip away on the back nine as he carded a five-under-par 67 to move to 10 under for the tournament.
He headed his fellow countrymen John Mallinger and Robert Garrigus by one, after their respective rounds of 71 and 73. Garrigus made bogey at the 18th to be denied a share of the lead.
The main threat to McCarron's lead at the Montreux Golf and Country Club may come from Canadian rookie Graham DeLaet, a further shot back after matching the course record by going round in 62 to burst into contention.
Matt Bettencourt had shared the overnight lead with Garrigus but went backwards with a 75, putting him on the same seven-under mark as Chad Campbell.