Robert Gamez moved into contention at the John Deere Classic with an impressive five under par 66.

Gamez, who hasn't won on the PGA Tour since 1990, shares the lead with J.P. Hayes, who followed up his second round 61 with a 67 to be on 18 under for the tournament.

Opening round leader Mike Heinen is the nearest challenger three shots back on 15 under after a 66.

Chris Riley, who shot a 66, and 2001 runner-up Briny Baird who went around in 68, follow at 14 under with Tim Petrovic another shot back.

Defending champion David Gossett is not out of contention after shooting a 67 to top an eight-player group at 12 under.

Gamez, who won the 1990 Tucson Open in his first official tour start, birdied the par-5 10th to grab a share of the lead with Hayes and Heinen, then took the lead with a birdie at the 11th.

He added birdies at the 14th, 17th and 18th to reach 18 under.

Hayes birdied four of the last five holes after parring the first 13. His only tour title came at the 1998 Buick Classic.

Leading scores from the third round of the John Deere Classic (US unless stated)

195 J.P. Hayes 67 61 67, Robert Gamez 65 64 66
198 Mike Heinen 63 69 66
199 Chris Riley 69 64 66, Briny Baird 67 64 68
200 Tim Petrovic 67 65 68
201 Kirk Triplett 68 67 66, David Gossett 65 69 67, Neal Lancaster 69 65 67, Bob Burns 69 64 68, Miguel Angel Jimenez (Spain) 67 66 68, Fred Funk 64 64 73
202 J.L. Lewis 67 69 66, Pat Perez 68 65 69, Peter Jacobsen 66 67 69
203 Kent Jones 68 68 67, Jonathan Byrd 69 67 67
204 John Senden (Australia) 68 68 68, Greg Kraft 71 65 68, Glen Day 70 66 68, Dan Forsman 68 67 69, Brian Bateman 68 66 70, Joel Edwards 69 69 66, Joe Durant 67 66 71