However, the American responded with a birdie from six feet at the fifth before his spectacular effort from the sand at the 10th. A further gain on the par-five 14th saw Home complete a three under 69 to lead by one on 13 under.

Matthieu Pavon, who shared the halfway lead with Homa, remains the nearest challenger after the Frenchman signed for a 70 to lie one back.

"I wasn't swinging it so well to start, I was a bit scrappy," said Homa. "I hit the ball really well coming down the last nine or 10 holes, that was nice.

"I didn't hole anything putting wise but I made a nice bunker shot for eagle on 10 which helped because I couldn't get the ball to go into the hole."

On his eagle, Homa added: "It was one of those feeder bunker shots. If you land it short it's going to run, if you land it long it will spin.

"So I took a 56 (degree wedge) and just played a low skidding one and it came off really good.

"It was one of the fun ones where 12 feet out you don't know how it could miss so those are the ones you like to have."

Homa has won six times on the PGA Tour but is keen to secure his first overseas victory on Sunday.

"It would be tremendous (to win)," he said. "Every day we walk up nine and they have the plaques of everyone who's won and the names are stout so it would be amazing to add my name to the tradition here.

"I woke up a little homesick today and we always say if I'm going to be away from the family I might as well play good so it's been nice to stay true to that."

Danish pair Nicolai Hojgaard and Thorbjorn Olesen are tied for third on 11 under, with England's Dan Bradbury a shot further back in fifth.

Tommy Fleetwood carded a 71 to sit in a share of eighth on seven under, one shot ahead of the group containing Justin Thomas after the American signed for a 72. Holywood's Tom McKibbinis in a tie for 24th on three under. 

PA