American Scott Stallings produced a superb third-round performance to shoot a round of 60 as he claimed the lead at the US PGA Barbasol Championship.

Stallings, 2.70 to win, battled through the tough conditions to convert 10 birdie opportunities while he also signed for an eagle in an 11-under-par round.

He will start Sunday’s final round on 19-under, just one shot ahead of Grayson Murray.

Murray’s 64 moved him into contention in Auburn but he is just one clear of Tag Ridings and Chad Collins.

The duo carded rounds of 63 and 69 respectively and they remain two shots clear of Cameron Tringale who sits alone in fifth.

Although a number of players can still win the event this weekend, Stallings has shown the form required to claim yet another PGA Tour victory.

Speaking after his round, the 32-year-old admitted he was not focused on his score, with the searing heat giving him a welcomed distraction.

The three-time PGA tour champion told the PGA tour.com website: “It’s brutally hot out there. That was a good distraction for me.

“It’s easy to lose your train of thought. I ran into that yesterday.

I was playing great and let my mind go a little bit and faltered a little bit coming in.

“My goal out there today was to put myself in the same position and finish it off better than the day before.”