Sahith Theegala conjured a back-nine birdie spree to edge into a two-stroke lead after the third round of the PGA Tour’s Fortinet Championship in California on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

Theegala, chasing a first ever individual title on the tour, carded a five-under-par 67 to put daylight between himself and the pack heading into Sunday’s final round.

The bogey-free performance included four birdies in the final seven holes of Silverado Resort’s North Course in Napa, with Theegala moving to 17 under after 54 holes.

That left the 25-year-old from California two clear of three players locked on 15 under including Justin Thomas, Australia’s Cam Davis and South Korea’s Kim Seonghyeon.

“My goal hasn’t necessarily been to win, but to keep getting better,” said Theegala. “Keep putting myself in contention on the back nine come Sunday, and that’s what I hope to do tomorrow.”

Two-time major champion Thomas vaulted back into contention with a superb sevenunder-par 65.

Thomas’s round included five birdies and a brilliant eagle three on the par-five 15th, when he chipped in from a greenside bunker.

“I’m putting myself in a lot better positions to have good things happen,” said Thomas, who is without a win this season.

“But more than anything, mentally I truly believe that good things are going to happen, so that’s at least a good start.”

Davis also posted a sevenunder-par round after a scintillating back nine that concluded with four straight birdies. Six of Davis’ seven birdies came after the turn.