Troy Merritt’s third round 69 means he will take a three-shot lead into the final round of the RBC Heritage as he attempts to secure a maiden PGA Tour title.

The 29-year-old went into Saturday’s round four clear of the field following his impressive record 61 at Harbour Town Golf Links on Friday.

Merritt stretched his lead immediately as he birdied two of the first three holes to get to 14-under, before slipping back on the eighth with a double-bogey six.

But further birdies at nine and 14, in between a solid run of pars, ensured that he stayed at the top of the leaderboard on 14-under ahead of Brendon Todd, who set the early clubhouse target at 11-under after a flawless, eight-birdie 63.

On his blip at the eighth, Merritt said: “I was hitting the ball just fine all day and I just tugged a six-iron, something that hasn’t happened in a while, and watched it sail into the water and make a spectacular splash. But I was able to roll that five-six-footer in and keep the momentum going.”

Kevin Kisner also kept a bogey off his card and posted two birdies on each nine in a 67, while defending champion Matt Kuchar joined Todd at 11-under as he recovered from a double-bogey at the short seventh to return a 68.

South African Branden Grace, veteran Jim Furyk and Brice Garnett share fifth on 10 under, while Masters champion Jordan Spieth will no doubt feel he can overhaul Merritt’s five-shot lead over him on Sunday.