LA JOLLA (California) • South Korean veteran K.J. Choi moved within sight of a ninth PGA Tour win when he earned a share of the lead with American Scott Brown after the third round at the Farmers Insurance Open on Saturday.

Choi birdied the par-five 18th to shoot even-par 72 and join Brown (70) at nine-under-207, one shot ahead of Jimmy Walker (68) and Gary Woodland (73) at Torrey Pines in Southern California.

Twenty-three players were bunched within four shots on a packed leaderboard, with rain and strong winds forecast to lash the course in yesterday's final round.

Choi, 45, winless on the US Tour since 2011, was delighted about the chance of ending his drought.

"This course is very important on the tee shot and second shot but more important is iron play," Choi told reporters. "Today my greens in regulation (were) a little bit low, but my chipping was good and the putting was good."

Co-leader Brown recently became a father for the second time, but on Sunday will be focused on trying to secure a second Tour win.

"Any time you're close to the lead or in the lead, it's obviously a pretty good feeling," he said.

"I've been driving it well for three days, really, and hopefully if I can continue that tomorrow, I'll be able to post another decent number."

REUTERS