Palm Harbor, FL ..

Adam Hadwin always seemed to have a smile on his face long before he shot a round of 59 at the recent Career Builder Challenge at La Quinta.

And while the Callaway-sponsored and soon-to-be-married Canadian did not win the tournament he was still smiling as second place secured his PGA Tour card for the 2017/18 season.

Now Hadwin is again all smiled having shot a third round 67 to muscle his way to a four-shot leading cushion heading to the final round of the Valspar Championship here at the Innisbrook Resort at Palm Harbor.

The 29-year old, who was born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, had stormed his ways again towards a hopeful first PGA Tour win on the back of a blistering second round 64 that included an inward half of 29.

On day three of the $US 6.3m event the bearded Hadwin grabbed four birdies in a bogey-free four under par 67 to move to 14-under par and with American Patrick Cantlay shooting a second straight 66 to be be at 10-under par.

Canadian Adam Hadwin smiling his way to a four shot lead after three rounds of the Valspar Championship. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

“Yeah, it was a great day, I played really solid, a lot of fairways, a lot of greens again,” said Hadwin.

“Made a couple bombs that probably shouldn’t have gone in, but good speed and was able to pick the right line and just real solid golf tee-to-green.

“Every time I got off-line, I got myself back in position and when I was able to be aggressive, I was aggressive and hit good shots. Just striking it real solid right now, which is what you need it do around this Copperhead golf course.

“You know, just stay patient, keep playing my game tomorrow, and if I keep playing like this, I’ll have a chance coming up 18.”