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Day charges to co-lead at Torrey Pines

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Jason Day has stormed to the co-lead after three rounds of the PGA Tour event in San Diego.
Camera IconJason Day has stormed to the co-lead after three rounds of the PGA Tour event in San Diego. Credit: AP

Jason Day has declared himself ready to win again after charging to the top of the leaderboard in the third round of the PGA Tour event in San Diego, California.

The former world No.1 reeled off three successive birdies to close out a 5-under 67 on the South Course at Torrey Pines -- a layout on which he has won this tournament twice before.

Starting the day in a share of sixth four shots off the pace, Day birdied the fourth and ninth holes before his only bogey came on the 12th.

Instead of allowing the setback to halt his momentum, the former world No.1 rebounded immediately by making birdie on the next hole before finishing off his round in style.

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Day and reigning rookie of the year Will Zalatoris were at 14-under 197, and will play in the final group for the final round after the young American carded a bogey-free 65 on moving day.

While Zalatoris is eyeing a maiden PGA Tour title, Day said his body -- which has caused his great pain in recent times -- felt good and he was "very much" ready to end a near four-year wait for his 13th.

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"I can't be overly excited about it... I've just got to forget what other people are doing," Day said.

"If I can go out there and just play within myself, then I should be able to give myself the opportunities

"I just can't get inside my head too much, I've just got to go out there and be patient."

A two-time champion of the event in 2015 and 2018, Day will lean on his knowledge of the Torrey Pines layout.

"It's nice to be able to know that I've done it on the golf course twice, not only in regulation but also in a playoff," he said.

There will be no shortage of challengers for the win with the top-ranked Jon Rahm (72) and England's Aaron Rai (68) a shot off the lead, while Justin Thomas (73), Cameron Tringale (72) and Sungjae Im (68) are tied for fifth at 12-under par.

Dustin Johnson (69) is another threat in the group at 10-under while Day's compatriot Marc Leishman is a shot further back after his three-under 69.

The tournament will conclude on Saturday, rather than the traditional Sunday finish, to avoid a conflict with telecasts of the NFL conference championship games.

with AP

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