Snedeker enjoyed a flawless round on the North Course that featured an impressive seven birdies, while Choi managed to shoot eight birdies on the tougher South Course but a bogey on the seventeenth prevented him from inching ahead.

"This is a long, difficult golf course with lots of rough and hitting a lot of iron shots." Snedeker said. "My strength is driving and putting, so it doesn't really add up well around here. But for some reason, it's been good to me."

Tiger Woods has enjoyed seven victories previously at Torry Pines but he will have some catching up to do if this is going to be his eighth as he finished three shots back with 4-under 68. Despite shooting six birdies and an eagle on the sixth hole, two bogeys and a double-bogey meant he did not quite make it to the top.

Snedeker and Choi have a one-shot lead and are closely followed by no less than eight players sharing third place, including Josh Teater, Adam Hadwin, Luke List, Ross Fisher, Billy Horschel, Charles Howell III Mike Weir and Scott Stallings, all with 66.

Graham Green from Leaderboard's Golf Centre in Reading said:

"This has been a hugely competitive round with a lot of golfers vying for that top spot. At this point Woods still has a decent shot at another victory here but it's going to be close."