Taylor Pendrith fired back-to-back eagles at the par-5 5th and par-4 6th as well as four birdies to close with a bogey-free 63 and take a one-shot lead at the CJ CUP Byron Nelson.

“Obviously a bonus for both of those [eagles] to go in. Two really good shots. First one had a little bit of steam so maybe got a little lucky to drop.

“I was just thinking, just keep going. I hit a really nice shot on the next par-3 and hit a good putt; just didn’t break enough.

“[The second eagle] was pretty basic pitch shot,” said the Canadian. “I was trying to fly it further than I did, but low, take two hops, and kind of skip up the hill. Obviously a bonus to make that, but it was a really nice shot. Would’ve been a foot probably if to missed. Yeah, that was a lovely shot.”

His 194 total marks his career-best 54-hole score on Tour and a win on Sunday would be his first in his 74th start.

“I haven’t had the best of years so far, but [the Presidents Cup is] a huge goal of mine, especially being in Canada, Mike Weir being the captain. Last year was awesome — or two years ago was awesome. To get back to that stage would be amazing and even more special to be in my home country.”

PGA Tour rookie Jake Knapp of the United States who held the 36-hole lead after back-to-back 64s shot a bogey-free 67 on Saturday and slipped down into second place at 18-under.

Fellow American Ben Kohles closed with a 65 featuring an eagle at the par-5 9th to move into a share of third place at 17-under alongside England’s Matt Wallace who carded a 67.

Related: Jay Bothroyd hopes his new project will show ‘golf can be fun and is for everyone’

Bothroyd is supporting Prostate Cancer UK’s Big Golf Race fundraising challenge this summer.