Bubba Watson has made seven birdies to tie the course record with a nine-under round of 63 on Saturday to take a two-shot lead over Paul Casey ahead of the final day of the Hero World Challenge.

Watson tied the record at Albany Golf Club in the Bahamas that had been set just minutes earlier by Casey, who had nine birdies on a clean card.

Watson was delighted with his day's work, but admitted that the Ernie Els-designed course became much easier once the strong winds from earlier in the competition had died down.

"As we are seeing, when there is no wind or light wind, we can score," the 37-year-old told reporters. "We are all good players, don't get me wrong. We are all top 50 in the world. But with no wind, this golf course is a little bit easier to make birdies. Obviously, in 20 mile-an-hour winds this golf course becomes a beast."

Watson finished the third round on a total of 19-under at 197, one short of the 54-hole tournament record which Jordan Spieth set last year, while Spieth himself, in a three-way tie for the lead with Jimmy Walker and Bill Haas at the start of the day, fell four shots off the pace with a 68.

Watson started the third round one shot behind but made up ground quickly and strung together a run of birdies to establish himself as the pack leader going into the final day.