Patrick Rodgers, Brandt Snedeker tied at Farmers Insurance Open

A pair of Americans sit atop the leader board at the Farmers Insurance Open after 54 holes.

Patrick Rodgers fired a 5-under 67 on Saturday to tie fellow American Brandt Snedeker, who shot a 2-under 70 under clear blue skies at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, Calif.

“I feel very comfortable in contention. It’s probably when I’m the most comfortable out here,” a confident Rodgers said.

Snedeker is vying to become the first repeat champion at the Farmers since Tiger Woods won the tournament four straight times from 2005-08.

Snedeker started the third round one shot behind England’s Justin Rose. He got off to a strong start on Saturday by birdieing Nos. 2 and 3 before settling in and recording eight straight pars. Snedeker bogeyed the par-4 No. 12, but picked up that stroke with a birdie on No. 17.

Rose, who is vying for his eighth PGA victory, struggled and fell into a tie for fifth, two strokes behind the leaders, after shooting a 1-over 73. He bogeyed No. 2, 8 and 12 and recorded only two birdies on the day.

Rose is one of 23 players within four shots of Rodgers and Snedeker.

But the round belonged to 24-year-old Rodgers, who started the day in 11th place. The Stanford product recorded five birdies as he looks for his first tour victory.

Prior to Saturday’s round, Rodgers’ best position after 54 holes on the PGA Tour came at the 2015 Wells Fargo Championship when he was tied for fourth. He ended up tied for second, marking his career-best finish.

American Tony Finau is tied with Cheng Tsung Pan of Taiwan are one stroke behind the leaders at 208. Finau birdied four of his final six holes on his way to a 67.

On the heels of a 2-over 74, American Pat Perez made six birdies and one bogey in round three to get to 7-under 209 through 54 holes. He will begin the final round two strokes back.

Phil Mickelson fired a 4-under 68 to get to 5 under and back into contention after shooting 71 and 72 in the first two rounds.

Playing in the final group with Rose and Snedeker, Canada’s Adam Hadwin had a round to forget. He dropped 16 spots and into a tie for 18th at 5-under par after a 2-over 74