Marc Leishman is pushing hard for a second US PGA tour victory, moving into a tie for second just one shot off the lead midway through the third round at Torrey Pines in California.

The Victorian is one-under par on his round through 10 holes to improve to eight-under for the tournament, leaving him just one adrift of American leader Gary Woodland.

Woodland is three-under on his round though 11 holes to move to nine-under.

Former British Open champion Stewart Cink sits tied with Leishman at eight-under with overnight leader Jordan Spieth and Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts tied fourth at seven-under.

Jason Day is the next best Australian at three-under, struggling at two-over on his round through 13 holes.

World No.1 Tiger Woods, the defending champion and seven-time event winner is heading for the exit door at seven-over par, facing a third round secondary cut.

Leishman has two previous top 10 finishes at Torrey including a runner-up finish in 2010.

He broke through for his first win in 2012 before contending at the Masters last season and forging his way onto the International Presidents Cup team.