KAPALUA, Jan 11: Australian Stuart Appleby regained the lead in the US PGA Tour's elite season opening Mercedes Championship on Saturday, opening a two-stroke edge over Fiji's Vijay Singh after three rounds.

Appleby, who led after the first round before surrendering the halfway advantage to Singh, popped his nose back in front with a seven-under-par 66 on Maui's Kapalua Plantation course.

Appleby birdied three of the final four holes for an impressive 54-hole total of 20-under 199. Singh struggled a little with his putter en route to a 69 that left him at 18-under 201.

South African Retief Goosen (64) was five shots back in third place, while Ulsterman Darren Clarke trailed by six after a 69 that included an eagle from 192 yards at the par-four 17th.

Tiger Woods carded a superb 65 but still left himself with a big mountain to climb, seven shots behind.

Leading scores: