Johnson forges ahead in Honolulu

THIRD ROUND LEADERBOARD:
-10 Z Johnson (US) -9 N Green (Aus), B Gay (US), D Toms (US), S Maruyama (Jpn) -8 T Fujikawa (US), G McNeill (US), B Weekley (US), C Howell III (US)
Selected others: -7 G Ogilvy (Aus) -5 L Donald (Eng), B Davis (Eng) -3 KJ Choi (Kor), T Pernice Jnr (US) -2 G Owen (Eng) -1 E Els (SA)

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Johnson fired three birdies during the first nine holes of his round

Zach Johnson, the 2007 Masters champion, fired a 66 to earn a one-stroke lead after the third round of the Sony Open in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Nathan Green, Brian Gay, David Toms and Shigeki Maruyama are all one shot behind him on nine-under-par.

But the round of the day was played by high school student Tadd Fujikawa, whose 62 left him just two behind.

English pair Luke Donald and Brian Davis both shot two-under-par rounds of 68 to finish on five under.

Fellow Englishman Greg Owen is two under after going round in 70.

606: DEBATE Discuss the Sony Open on 606

Johnson's experience should make him the favourite in the final round. But he said: "One shot, one errant shot out here can be a matter of a two- or three-shot swing.

"I think that's the beauty of this course. It doesn't surprise me it's congested, and the guy that sticks to his own and makes some putts tomorrow is probably going to come out on top."

Meanwhile, 19-year-old Tadd Fujikawa stunned his home crowd by collecting nine birdies and a bogey in an eight-under round.

"I really made sure I put all my focus and all my effort into every shot that I hit, and I think it paid off," Fujikawa said.

"I'm very happy with today's round."