Harold Varner III could achieve "one of the great victories we've seen on the PGA Tour" if he lands the Charles Schwab Challenge title on Sunday, according to Colin Montgomerie.

American Varner is one of few black golfers competing at the highest level and made a strong start to the first full event staged since the tour returned from its coronavirus-enforced suspension.

He carried a slender lead into Saturday's third round, with Jordan Spieth and Bryson DeChambeau his nearest challengers.

The PGA Tour is recognising racial injustice with a moment of silence for George Floyd each day.

There have been nationwide protests in the United States after Floyd – an African-American man – died in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25.

The Black Lives Matter movement has gained momentum, and Montgomerie said it would be "poignant" for Varner to be this week's champion.

Former European Ryder Cup captain Montgomerie said: "What a story this is, beginning to unfold.

"I'm sure everyone wishes him the very, very best."

Varner had a triple bogey on his opening hole of Friday's second round but rallied to post a four-under 66, helped by five birdies in his final six holes, to reach 11 under par through 36 holes.

"Terrific effort, and it'll be so poignant, wouldn't it, if he could come through here," Montgomerie told BBC Radio Five Live.

"It'll be one of the great victories we've seen on the PGA Tour, not just because it's been three months off but because of the situation we find ourselves in right now.

"I think I speak for everybody, that we wish him well."

Montgomerie was eager to see how Varner would handle the pressure of leading, given he stood tied-second going into the final day of last year's PGA Championship only to shoot an 81 and finish well off the pace.

"It was an eye-opener for him. It was the first time he'd been in the last group in a major and you learn from that," Montgomerie said. "When I was in that position myself, you learn from those positions."