Heath Slocum and Patrick Sheehan are Senden's closest pursuers, each signing for a five-under 66. They are at 13-under 200 through 54 holes at the TPC Deere Run.
Slocum also had a bogey-free round that featured five birdies.
He is looking to win for the third consecutive season and would join pretty exclusive company if he did so. Only Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh, Stuart Appleby and David Toms have won in each of the last three years.
"Right now I am looking for the record, an opportunity to win for the third year in a row," Slocum said.
Second-round leader Joe Ogilvie shot a 69 and is in a group of five at 12-under 201.
Saturday started with seven players in the top 10 looking for their first career win and it would be a great week to get it. The top finisher here who is not otherwise exempt will gain a spot in next week's British Open.
Senden started his claim for a spot at Royal Liverpool with birdies on his first two holes. He added one more on the front nine and had four more coming in, including a closing birdie at 18.
Senden's putter was as hot as the temperatures, which reached the 90s and took their toll a day earlier on Michelle Wie.
Here on a sponsor's exemption and again trying to make the cut in a PGA Tour event, the 16-year-old Wie wasn't able to make it through 36 holes. Her disappointing run ended early Friday with heat exhaustion, resulting in a trip to the hospital.
Last July, Wie nearly became the first woman in 60 years to make the cut on the men's tour, shooting a 1-under-par 141 here. Friday's troubles dropped her to zero-of-five all-time in tour events.
Alex Cejka (64), Steve Jones (66), Hayes (66) and Daniel Chopra (68) are tied with Ogilvie at 12-under 201. Defending champion Sean O'Hair is tied for 38th at seven-under after a 68.