Defending champ Haas leads Northern Trust

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PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif., Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Bill Haas carded a 7-under 64 in the third round Saturday, positioning himself for a second straight championship at the Northern Trust Open.

The performance put Haas at 12-under 201 through 54 holes, good for a three-stroke advantage.

His last PGA Tour win came at 2011's event, when he beat Phil Mickelson and Keegan Bradley in a playoff at Riviera Country Club.

Webb Simpson and Charl Schwartzel, each of whom fired 68, were tied for second at 9-under with John Merrick (70).

Second-round co-leader Fredrik Jacobson stumbled to a 72 after recording a double-bogey on the par-4 fifth, ending the day tied for fifth with world No. 3 Luke Donald (70) at 8-under.

Josh Teater (68) and Charlie Beljan (68) were one shot further back at 7-under 206.