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California's K.K. Limbhasut searched unsuccessfully for the words to describe his performance through three rounds of the Pac-12 Men's Golf Championships. Stanford coach Conrad Ray could find only limited comfort in his team's position.

Limbhasut and the rival Cardinal had all the answers on the course, though. The Cal sophomore delivered a third straight 66 in windy conditions at The Country Club of Salt Lake City, giving him a six-stroke lead over Stanford's David Boote, Arizona State's Jon Rahm and UCLA's Jonathan Garrick.

Stanford's depth and consistency enabled the two-time defending champion Cardinal to build a 12-shot advantage over Cal, entering Sunday's final round.

More drama could be found near the bottom of the team standings, where Utah is battling to finish ahead of last place for the first time in five years of Pac-12 membership. The Utes stand 11th — with Oregon State only three strokes behind, while Washington State and Arizona (tied for ninth) are just three shots ahead.

"Overall, I don't think we're too disappointed," said Utah coach Randall McCracken, who's stepping down after 12 years on the job. "We've just got to play like that again [Sunday] or maybe a little bit better and see what happens."

The Utes wobbled on their finishing hole, the par-4 No. 9 (No. 18 for club members), or they could have made a significant move Saturday. Brandon Kida, a senior from Layton, led Utah with a 2-under-par 69.

Stanford remained impressive. The Cardinal's balance is illustrated by having a different non-counting player in each of the first three rounds — and no counting score over par Saturday.

Asked about feeling comfortable with a 12-stroke lead, Ray said, "No way, no way. I wish it was 20."

Franklin Huang's 68 and Maverick McNealy's 69 led Stanford's third-round effort, while Boote's 70 enabled him to stay in the medalist race.

Limbhasut will be tough to catch, though. His 15-under-par total through three rounds is remarkable, with The Country Club course adjusted to a par of 71 (the members' No. 3 hole is a 511-yard par-4), the rough grown higher than usual and chilly, windy conditions.

"Didn't expect this at all," Limbhasut said. "I'm speechless, how I've played the past three [rounds]."

Rahm, the world's No. 1-ranked amateur golfer, might make things interesting for Limbhasut on Sunday. But the Cal golfer has been very steady, making only one bogey.

Twitter: @tribkurt —

Storylines

R Stanford increases its team lead to 12 strokes over California, and Cal's K.K. Limbhasut builds a six-stroke individual lead entering the final round of the Pac-12 Men's Golf Championships at The Country Club of Salt Lake City.

• Utah stands 11th, three strokes ahead of last-place Oregon State and three strokes behind Washington State and Arizona, tied for ninth.