JB Holmes joins Harris English in Farmers Insurance Open lead

A leading round of four under saw JB Holmes surge into a share of the lead with Harris English on Saturday at the Farmers Insurance Open.

Holmes was one of just three players to card a 68 in the third round at Torrey Pines but it could have been even better for the 32-year-old.

While overnight leader English stumbled with a one-over 73, Holmes was five under through 14 holes on Torrey Pines' South Course but bogeys on the 15th and 17th holes halted his momentum, although a birdie on the 18th ensured the Kentucky native ended Saturday in front.

Holmes had six birdies and a bogey through 14 holes but needed an impressive 88-yard approach shot on the final hole and a solid 11-foot putt to post four under.

Scott Stallings (six-under overall) and Mexico's Carlos Ortiz (five-under overall) were the only players to match Holmes' score in the third round.

English had moved ahead of the field in the second round with a bogey-free 66 but a double-bogey on the fourth and a bogey on the 16th marred the 25-year-old's third round.

It left English and Holmes tied on nine under, one shot ahead of a group of five players.

Lucas Glover, Jimmy Walker, Spencer Levin and Chad Campbell all carded 70s to claim a share of third with Nick Watney, who posted an even-par 72 to drop from outright second.

Campbell provided one of the highlights of the PGA Tour event, sinking a hole-in-one on the par-three third hole, but the 40-year-old needed consecutive birdies at the end of his round to salvage a two-under score.

Alex Prugh, Bill Haas, Andres Gonzales, Jason Day of Australia and Venezuela's Jhonattan Vegas remain within striking distance, tied for eighth on seven under.