American Brooks Koepka fired a four-under-par 67 on Saturday to lead by two strokes after three rounds of the Frys.com Open, where he’s seeking a first US PGA Tour title.

The 23-year-old, who has European Tour status after winning three times this year on the continent’s Challenge Tour developmental circuit, had six birdies and two bogeys to build a 54-hole total of 15-under 198, two clear of George McNeill and Jason Kokrak.

Kokrak carded a 68 while McNeill climbed the leaderboard with a course record-equalling nine-under 62 for three-round totals of 200.

Jimmy Walker also notched a 62 at CordeValle Golf Club, and was in a group on 201 alongside former world No.1 and three-time major champion Vijay Singh of Fiji and American Robert Garrigus.

Singh posted a 65, while Garrigus carded a 68.

While Koepka’s success on the Challenge Tour has earned his playing privileges on the European Tour, he could earn US PGA Tour status with a win on Sunday.

The $US5 million ($A5.3 million) tournament, formerly part of the season-ending “Fall Finish”, is the first event in the US Tour’s new-style 2013-14 season, with FedEx Cup playoff points on offer and a Masters berth for the winner.

“I’ve just got to approach it the same way,” Koepka said, looking ahead to Sunday. “We’ve got a good game plan and things seem to be going pretty well. I just have to stick to it and everything will take care of itself.”

Kokrak birdied his last two holes on Saturday to get into the final group on Sunday.

His round was highlighted by an eagle at the par-4 first, where he holed out from 130 yards.

Kokrak, who is also chasing his first US PGA Tour title, was runner-up here last year to Sweden’s Jonas Blixt.

McNeill had 10 birdies and one bogey in his 62.

“It was a lot of fun,” he said. “62 – I don’t know how it could ever not be fun.”

Walker also had 10 birdies and a lone bogey as he tied the course record he set in the final round last year.