Dustin Johnson believes his experience will be crucial when he attempts to get the job done at the US PGA Championship on Sunday.

The American moved into a one-shot lead from Cameron Champ and Scottie Scheffler after a five-under 65 left him at nine under for the tournament following round three.

Johnson has just one major win to his name at the 2016 U.S. Open but has been a perennial challenger and has runners-up finishes at golf's other three majors.

The former world number one is confident that being in those situations in the past can aid his bid at TPC Harding Park.

"I definitely have experience in this situation that definitely will help tomorrow. I've been in the hunt a bunch of times in a major," he said. 

"I've got one major, so having that experience is definitely going to be beneficial tomorrow.

"But it's one of those things. I'm still going to have to go out and play really good golf. This is a tough golf course, the greens are getting really firm. They are fast. So I think the wind is going to blow again tomorrow, so it's going to play difficult.

"I look forward to the challenge and I will definitely be relying on a lot of that experience that I have."

Asked what will be different about the previous times he has led or co-led a major, Johnson replied: "I was definitely younger. I have been out here a while now.

"I've been in contention a lot, and I've got it done a lot of times. Tomorrow, it's no different. I'm going to have to play good golf if I want to win."

Champ is a two-time winner on the PGA Tour and is leading the driving average off the tee in 2020.

The 25-year-old said he is comfortable being at the top of leaderboards and is ready to embrace any nerves that come on Sunday.

"There's definitely a comfortability there. I've been in that situation a few times. I embrace it. I love it. Again, this is what we play for, to get in contention, to win tournaments," he said.

"Obviously this is a major…I'm sure there will be a little bit of nerves at some point throughout the round, but again, that's part of it."

Scheffler, who matched Johnson's 65, is aiming to become the first player since Keegan Bradley in 2011 to win the PGA Championship on his tournament debut.

"There's definitely some nerves but just got to try and handle them as best I can and go out and play," he said.

"I did a good job of that today just staying in the right frame of mind, hitting good, positive swings and made some nice birdies."