Stallings takes firm control

Last updated: 20th January 2013

Scott Stallings is in sight of his third PGA Tour title after taking a five-shot lead at the Humana Challenge on Saturday.

The American produced a scintillating nine-under-par 63 in the third round at PGA West's Jack Nicklaus Course in California to take his total to 22 under par and take firm control of the tournament with 18 holes left to play.

Conditions were perfect and Stallings took full advantage, carding five birdies and two eagles in a bogey-free round.

"I stayed aggressive," Stallings said. "Playing with John Rollins was a huge help. He's a good guy and he was an easy guy to club off of. We made a lot of birdies the last couple days, and so we kind of fed off each other."

The pair of eagles came after hitting a 6-iron to 8 feet on the par-five 13th early in the round and holing a 20-foot downhill putt on the par-five eighth.

"I guess you can say it's conservatively aggressive," Stallings said. "Like No. 8, I hit a really good drive and had 8-iron. But just because I had 8-iron to a par 5, I fired it in the middle of the green, had a 20-footer and was happy to make it."

Playing partner Rollins is among a group of five players tied for second place on 17 under, five off the lead. Rollins rose 37 places with his 64 to finish alongside fellow Americans Roberto Castro (69), Stewart Cink (66), Charles Howell III (67) and Charley Hoffman (67).

"We had a good group and the mojo in the group has been positive," Rollins said after his round. "It was great to see a lot of good shots, putts going in."

As many as eight players follow a shot behind those bunched in second place, including Korean Sang-Moon Bae (64), Ryan Palmer (66) and Kevin Stadler (68).