Green, without a European Tour victory for almost a decade, at one stage had moved into a two-shot lead after carding four birdies and just one bogey, but a double bogey on the 18th meant he shot a one-under-par 71 and is 12 under overall.

Compatriot O'Hern made an indifferent start as birdies on the first and second were quickly wiped out by bogeys on the next two holes. However, a faultless run coming home that included three birdies meant he carded a three-under 69.

World number eight Goosen was thankful for a good run on the final four holes after a poor start had seen him drop down the leaderboard. The South African could only manage one birdie on his outward nine and dropped a shot on the ninth.

Further bogeys on the 13th and 14th threatened to undo all his good work in the previous two rounds but three successive birdies from the 15th ensured he remains on course for victory.

"If the wind picks up, that might be a factor that helps me a little bit, " said Goosen.

"I said earlier in the week that there would be slightly higher scores but I guess the wind is not as bad as it usually is, so that is the reason for the scores being a lot lower.

"We have a better field as well but I am going to try and play well for another round and my game feels good."

Determined to stop him though is defending champion Henrik Stenson whose two-under 70 yesterday moved him to just two shots behind the leaders.

The Swede carded three birdies and just one bogey and is 10 under overall.

American Edward Michaels joins Stenson in joint second after an impressive three rounds in his first competitive tournament for over a year. Michaels has been battling back from a shoulder injury but showed few signs of rustiness to card a three-under 69.

A superb run coming home where he carded an eagle and two birdies ensured he leapt up the leaderboard.

"Hopefully tomorrow I can calm my nerves and hit a few more solid shots, " he said.

"It grinds on you too much having to get up and down every hole. You can only do that for so long. But I will take one more day of it though."

Six shots off the lead, however, is Chris DiMarco who will have to play an exceptional round today if he is to challenge. DiMarco carded a birdie on the first but got into trouble on the 11th when his ball landed among some trees. He eventually putted for a double bogey and though he managed four more birdies his final score of one-under 71 leaves him with a tough challenge in the final round.

Last week, DiMarco finished fourth in the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship and he is delighted with his start to 2007.

"My whole thing this year is to try to be consistent and, to finish fourth last week and this week to put myself right back in the hunt, I am very happy with the way things are going, " he said.

Nick Dougherty is alongside DiMarco at six under while Dubliner Paul McGinley is a shot behind the duo after carding a disappointing par 72.

Elsewhere, PGA Tour rookie Brandt Snedeker proved he was not a one-day wonder with a two-under par 70 on the second day of the Buick Invitational to take a three-stroke lead over fellow American Charles Howell.

Following his recordequalling first round 11-under par 61 on the North course at Torrey Pines, Snedeker switched to the far tougher South and added two birdies through six holes. Snedeker made a 40-foot birdie putt on the third hole before two putting from 15 feet on the par five sixth hole to end his front nine with a one-under par 35.

The 26-year-old birdied the 12th hole to take him to 13under but quickly conceded a bogey on the 14th before a birdie on the 15th and pars on his remaining holes took the American home.

Bill Haas, Rich Beem and Charlie Wi are all tied for third, four strokes behind.

Defending champion Tiger Woods, seeking a seventh successive victory on the circuit, has seven strokes to make up over the weekend after settling for a level par 72 on the South course.

Woods began the day tied for 14th and moved up two places despite rescuing a par on the final hole with an eightfoot putt after finding two bunkers on his approach to the green.