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Jason Day has birdied his final hole in the third round of the PGA Tour event in California to make the 54-hole cut -- 11 shots adrift of the co-leaders.
Jason Day has scraped into the final round of the PGA Tour event in the California desert, sinking a birdie putt on his last hole of the day to make the 54-hole cut on the number.
Starting round three in a share of 106th in his first tournament for the year, Day carded a 5-under 67 to get to 7-under and ensure he would play on Sunday.
Teeing off on the 10th hole at La Quinta Country Club, the former world No.1 carded seven birdies on Saturday with his only blemish being a double-bogey on the par-4 2nd which threatened to end his event prematurely.
However, Day rebounded by picking up a shot on the par-5 6th before his clutch wedge approach and putt on the 9th ensured he would be in action on Sunday.
Despite his solid round, Day is 11 shots off the pace set by Lee Hodges and Paul Barjon.
Playing together in the final group off the 10th tee on PGA West's Stadium Course, the PGA Tour rookies and close friends stormed to the top of the leaderboard at 18-under 198 as they took advantage of the mild afternoon conditions.
Hodges, a 26-year-old former Alabama golfer, shot an 8-under 64.
"We're just best buddies and we have a great time out there," he said.
"We keep it really light and it's easy to compete when your friends are playing well."
Barjon, a 29-year-old Frenchman who played at Texas Christian, had a 65.
"We just kind of feed off each other, so it's been fun," he said.
Tom Hoge was third after a 68 at La Quinta while Seamus Power carded a 68 on the same course to be fourth at 16-under par.
Five players are three shots off the lead, including 2018 Open champion Francesco Molinari (67).
World No.4 Patrick Cantlay, a stroke ahead entering the third round, had an even-par 72 on the Stadium Course to drop four strokes back in a share of 11th.
Top-ranked Jon Rahm shot a 67 on the Stadium Course to be in the group at 13-under while defending champion Si Woo Kim (69) is two shots further back.
Tournament host Phil Mickelson tied for 150th in the 156-man field, shooting 78-73-72 and failing to advance to the final round.
Day's fellow Australian Brett Drewitt carded an even-par 72 on Saturday to finish three shots shy of the cut-line.
The event just outside Palm Springs, is played across three courses, with the PGA West Stadium Course to host the final round.
