Justin Thomas will take a three-shot lead into the final round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational after carding a three-under-par score of 67 on Saturday.

The American went into the weekend with a share of the lead, but he pulled clear of the field as he recorded six birdies and three bogies to move onto 14-under-par for the tournament.

The 25-year-old, who will be looking to successfully defend his title at next week’s PGA Championship, had come into this week’s tournament at Firestone Country Club in indifferent form following his failure to make the cut at last month’s Open Championship.

Indeed, Thomas confirmed after his third round that he had held talks with his team ahead of this week’s event and that appears to have had the desired effect.

“We had a big talk on Tuesday just to make sure everybody on the team was doing what they needed to do for us to play our best,” Thomas was quoted as saying on the PGA Tour website.

Thomas is priced at 1.70 to go and win the tournament, but a number of the world’s top players are waiting in the wings should he slip up, including Rory McIlroy, who holds a share of second on 11-under alongside Englishman Ian Poulter.

Jason Day is also within touching distance of the lead, as he is a shot further back, while the likes of Rickie Fowler, Jon Rahm and Tommy Fleetwood could also mount a late challenge for glory if they can shoot a low score during Sunday’s final round.