Four late birdies saw Bernhard Langer maintain a two stroke advantage in the Champions Tour's Toshiba Classic.
The German, a winner of the event in 2008, signed for a five under 66 and 13 under total at Newport Beach Country Club.
The 56 year old is looking for his second win of the year after taking the season-opening event in Hawaii.
Kenny Perry and Chien Soon Lu shared second spot, the former making a 15 foot eagle putt on the par five 18th for a 65.
Langer had two birdies and his first two bogeys of the tournament on the way out, bizarrely hit his son Jason with his approach to the tenth before pitching to ten feet and gaining a shot, then reeled off birdies at the 13th, 14th, 15th and 17th.
"I was told it hit him," Langer said of his second to the par five tenth. "But it was more like it bounced a few times and rolled up to him. He was okay."
US Ryder Cup Captain Tom Watson made a 30 foot eagle putt on the last hole for a joint best of the day 63.
It was the first time on the Champions Tour the 64 year old Watson has bettered his age, moving into a tie for 12th at 8 under.
"When you are 64, it doesn't happen that much anymore," Watson said. "I have been rolling in a lot of putts though."
