VIJAY Singh may be just one stroke ahead after three rounds in the battle for the US$5 million ($7.58m) Canadian Open.

But the advantage in experience that he has over his closest challengers - Steve Allan and John Mallinger - is phenomenal.

Vijay, who carded a three-under-par 68, has won this title in 2004 and has already had two successes this season.

The world No. 7 is seeking his 32nd US Tour victory while Australia's Allan and Mallinger are in search of their very first.

Despite a shaky finish that included two late bogeys, Vijay topped the leaderboard at 12-under 201.

Allan and Mallinger each shot 70 for 202.

Vijay had back-to-back birdies at the first two holes before a bogey at No. 3. He finished the front nine with birdies at the seventh and ninth. He added to his lead with a birdie at 11.

The trouble started for Vijay at the 13th with a bogey. He rebounded with a birdie at 14 but bogeyed the 16.

'I'm kind of disappointed with the way I finished. I thought I played much better than a 68 out there,' Vijay said. 'I did a lot of things that I normally wouldn't do, but that's the way golf is, I guess. Hopefully, I can limit those mistakes and finish the job.'

Neither Allan nor Mallinger could capitalise on Vijay's struggles.

A bogey at 18 cost Allan a share of the lead, while Mallinger had back-to-back bogeys at 15 and 16 before a birdie at 17 put him within a shot of the lead.

Despite the disappointing finish, when he flew his approach long at the last, Allan said he was looking forward to playing in the final group.

'If I can pull off a win on the PGA Tour, what better way to do it than playing in the last group,' he said. - AFP.