World number 472 Matt Every ripped up the front nine at Trinity Forest Golf Club to open up a one-shot lead on day three of a rain-affected AT&T Byron Nelson.

The start of Saturday’s third round was delayed by six hours due to heavy overnight rain and only 13 players managed to get a full 18 holes in before play was suspended due to darkness.

American Every wasn’t deterred by the conditions and started his round with a chip-in eagle at the par-five first before making back-to-back pars to consolidate a strong opening.

The 35-year-old made birdies at four of the next six holes to reach the turn in 30, six-under-par for the front nine, before his day was brought to a premature end because of fading light.

Every, who is chasing his first PGA Tour title since landing the 2015 Arnold Palmer Invitational, leads by one shot on -19 with 27 holes of his tournament remaining and he was pleased with his performance.

“It was playing super easy, so it wasn’t like I had time to be nervous about anything,” he told the PGA Tour’s official website. “I just needed to keep making birdies.”

Every is the 3.10 favourite to lift the trophy while South Korean Sung Kang, who held the halfway lead, is priced at 3.20 as he sits just one shot behind in second on -17.

American Tyler Duncan is a further two strokes back on -15 while Scott Piercy, who is seven-under-par through 13 holes of his third round, heads a group of three players on -13.