Tour ranking leader Toru Taniguchi edged toward a fifth title this season with a third straight 5-under-par 67 on Saturday to take a share of the lead after the third round of the Bridgestone Open.
Taniguchi, who grabbed his fourth victory of the year at the Georgia Tokai Classic two weeks ago, began in second but carded seven birdies and two bogeys in cold, drizzly conditions to move to 15-under 201 alongside overnight leader Scott Laycock, who shot a 69.
"I set out to try and finish the day on 15 under so everything went according to plan," Taniguchi said. "I felt pretty confident with my irons and my touch on the green was also good."
After a bogey on the par-5 second hole, Laycock got back on track with four birdies, including three in four holes from the 13th.