Australia’s Marc Leishman has surged into a tie for second place after the third round of the US PGA Tour event at Torrey Pines in California.

Leishman ground out an even par 72 in tough course conditions to be just one stroke behind big-hitting American Gary Woodland (70) who leads alone at eight-under 208.

Overnight leader Jordan Spieth (75) joined Leishman in second place while Americans Pat Perez (72) and Morgan Hoffman (72) are tied fourth at six-under.

There are 22 players, including Australian Jason Day (73), within four shots of the lead.

Leishman opened with four pars before taking some revenge out on the fifth hole.

A day after carding a double bogey at the same spot the 30-year-old Victorian rolled in a six-foot birdie putt.

The iconic seaside layout is playing like a mini US Open with thick rough swallowing wayward shots but Leishman ground out a run of 10 pars before dropping his first shot at the par three 16th.

He found the bunker off the tee and couldn’t get up and down and then parred home to remain well and truly in the hunt for a second US tour title.

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

Day’s round of 73 left him at four-under, still a chance to push for a victory from a tie for 13th.

World No.1 Tiger Woods, the defending champion and seven-time event winner shot an ugly round of 79, his worst on the venue by far, and was subject to the third round cut.

Stuart Appleby was the only other Australian under par for the tournament after a round of 72 left him one-under.

Matt Jones tumbled 34 places after a dismal 77 dropped him to one-over and a tie for 54th.

Aaron Baddeley (76) and Steven Bowditch (77) fell outside the top 70 and went out in the third round cut.