Sergio Garcia broke clear of the field on the back nine to open a substantial six-shot lead after the third round of the Wachovia Championship.
Garcia was tied for the lead at the turn with DJ Trahan, but the Spaniard found some of his best form and rattled off five birdies in the next six holes on the demanding Quail Hollow course.
Garcia negotiated the brutal final three holes with pars to shoot a five-under-par 67, the day's best score, and post a 12-under 204 total with one round left.
Trahan and Vijay Singh each shot 71 and are tied for second at six-under 210 with Jim Furyk who carded a 69. Nick Price is another shot back after a 69. Defending champion Joey Sindelar and England's Greg Owen are tied for sixth at four under.
Tiger Woods struggled with his driver down the stretch, bogeying the last for a 73 that left him a distant 11 shots off the pace.
Garcia, who missed the cut at The Masters last month, is seeking his first victory of the year.
