SAN DIEGO — Ryuji Imada, a runner-up at Torrey Pines two years ago, has a much better opportunity this time. He will not be starting the final round 12 shots behind, or trying to catch up to Tiger Woods.

Imada avoided the trauma that caught up with so many other contenders yesterday, making only one bogey and escaping with several key pars for a 2-under 70 that gave him a two-shot lead over Ben Crane and Michael Sim in the Farmers Insurance Open.

Imada essentially won the B-Flight two years ago when he closed with a 67 to finish eight shots behind Woods. No matter the score or who’s in the field, he obviously has figured out something about the tough South Course at Torrey Pines.

He was at 13-under 203 and will be in the final group with Crane, who had a 69, and Sim.

Phil Mickelson lost a ball in a eucalyptus tree and took double bogey, then rallied for a 70 and was four shots behind.