ILLINOIS (AFP) — Brendon Todd birdied three of the last six holes, closing with a clutch par putt, to seize a one-stroke lead after Saturday's third round of the PGA John Deere Classic.

The 37-year-old American, seeking his first PGA title since 2019 and fourth overall, fired a bogey-free four-under par 67 to stand on 16-under 197 after 54 holes at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois.

Alex Smalley, who fired a 62, shared second on 198 with fellow Americans Adam Schenk and Denny McCarthy with American Peter Kuest fifth on 199.

Eight others were only three adrift, including 36-hole leader Cameron Young, who stumbled back with a closing double bogey to shoot 71.

"Probably (need) another round like today," Todd said. "Looks like there are a lot of pursuers there. It's a pretty bunched leaderboard so I'll have to go out there, play my game, make a bunch of birdies and see what happens."

World No. 78 Todd, who has converted two of his five career 54-hole PGA leads into victories, was a runner-up at Pebble Beach earlier this year.

Todd's PGA triumphs came at the 2014 Byron Nelson Championship and the 2019 Bermuda Championship and Mayakoba Classic in Mexico.