Allenby made all three of his birdies inside 4 feet yesterday for a 3-under-par 67. Palmer, who started the third round with a one-shot margin, two-putted for birdie on his last hole for a 68 to catch the Australian.

They are at 11-under 199, three shots clear of a group that includes defending champion Zach Johnson, Davis Love, Steve Stricker, and Troy Matteson.

Champions - Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson took the first seven skins worth $220,000 to build a big lead after the first day of the Champions Skins Game in Kaanapali, Hawaii.

With the first four skins carrying over to the par-4 fifth, Nicklaus hit an aggressive wedge from 115 yards to 3 feet. Watson dropped the birdie putt to capture five skins and $150,000.

Fred Couples and Nick Price were in second place with one skin worth $40,000 in the alternate shot event.

Defending champions Fuzzy Zoeller and Ben Crenshaw were shut out.

European - Charl Schwartzel shot a 7-under 64 to take a four-stroke lead over Darren Clarke (67) after three rounds of the Joburg Open in Johannesburg.