On their driver’s licenses, Goydos is 20 years older at 45. With a driver, Johnson is 48 yards longer.

Both weigh 190 pounds, but Johnson is 6 feet 4 inches tall, while Goydos is 5-9.

Nothing separated them on the scoreboard, however. After 54 holes, they were at 18-under 196, four shots clear of everyone else heading into today’s final round.

Johnson overpowered Spyglass Hill in a round that included two eagles. Goydos poked his way along the splendid coastline of Pebble Beach and birdied two of the last three holes.

“His game is a little different from mine,’’ said Johnson, who will try to become only the fifth back-to-back winner here, and the first in 20 years. “And he finds a way to get it done.

“It doesn’t matter how far you hit it or where you hit it. You’ve just got to find a way to get it in the hole. Whoever can get it in the hole tomorrow is going to come out with the victory.’’

J.B. Holmes and Bryce Molder had 68s at Spyglass Hill, while Matt Jones shot a 4-under 66 on the Shore Course at Monterey Peninsula. They were tied for third at 14-under 200.

David Duval had a 67 and was tied for seventh with J.P. Hayes (63) and Steve Marino (67) at 12 under, one shot behind Alex Cejka (69). Phil Mickelson was eight shots out of the lead after a 69 at Pebble Beach.

However, the biggest star yesterday was the weather, some of the most spectacular conditions this tournament has seen in years. Along the coast of Pebble Beach, huge swells crashed against the rocks and the sea wall.

Champions - Fred Couples sank a 48-foot putt from well off the green for an eagle on No. 12, then made a 12-footer for birdie on No. 13 to seize the lead at 5 under before second-round play was called because of darkness at the Ace Group Classic in Naples, Fla.

Couples, seeking his first Champions Tour victory, is one of 38 players who must complete their second round this morning. Dan Forsman is second, three shots back.

European - Richard Bland and Fredrik Andersson Hed shot 66s in the third round to join a seven-way tie at 11-under 205 atop the leaderboard at the Avantha Masters in Gurgaon, India.

Darren Beck (70), Chan Yin-Shin (72), Rahil Gangjee (69), Tetsuji Hiratsuka (70), and Barry Lane (71) also have a piece of the lead heading into today’s final round.