Darren Clarke roared into contention at the Sanford International after he fired a blistering round of 64.
The 2021 champion is seven-under and four behind Ernie Els who holds a one shot lead over his countryman Retief Goosen.
Clarke was in superb form as he breezed around Minnehaha Country Club with six birdies on a blemish free card to move into seventh place.
World Golf Hall of Fame member Els went one better and carded the low round of the day (63) to hit the front.
The 55-year-old South African is seeking his eight win on the Champions Tour in his 124th start and his second win of this season.
If he can get over the line, Els would become the seventh multiple winner of the 2025 season on PGA TOUR Champions, joining Miguel Angel Jiménez (4), Ángel Cabrera (3), Steve Allan (3), Padraig Harrington (2), Thomas Bjørn (2) and Stewart Cink (2)
Fellow World Golf Hall of fame member Goosen carded a 65 for the second consecutive day. The 56-year-old seeks his fourth win on PGA TOUR Champions in his 138th start with his last win coming at the 2024 Galleri Classic.
