Clark in control

Tim Clark holed a birdie on the final hole of his third round to take a two-stroke advantage into the final day of the Crowne Plaza Invitational.

Tim Clark holed a birdie on the final hole of his third round today to take a two-stroke advantage into the final day of the Crowne Plaza Invitational.

The South African began the day at Colonial Country Club one shot behind overnight leader Steve Stricker, but moved ahead of his playing partner after firing a four-under 66 to reach 17-under for the tournament.

Clark birdied two of his first three holes on the Fort Worth course to draw level with Stricker, who birdied the second, but trailed again after dropping his only shot of the day on the seventh.

Cconsecutive birdies on the 10th and 11th helped the South African to edge ahead however before his fifth birdie of the day put him two shots ahead of Stricker, Steve Marino and Australian Jason Day.

Having been a runner-up to Phil Mickelson at Colonial last year, Clark is eyeing his maiden win on the PGA Tour.

"I had a great final round last year. I'm going to need that again," said Clark, who has been a runner-up on six occasions.

"I'm in a different position being in the last group. I just have to stay calm."

Marino fired eight birdies for a tournament-best 62 to join Day (65) and Stricker (69) in a three-way tie for second on 15-under.

Vijay Singh was alone in fifth on 13-under after carding a 69 with Justin Leonard (64) and Woody Austin (67) tied for sixth a further shot back.

Paul Casey is the leading British player after firing a four-under 66 to join Sean O'Hair in a tie for eighth on 11-under while Ian Poulter (65) and Luke Donald (69) are in a five-way tie for 10th.