Australian PGA Championship: Adam Scott, Wade Ormsby and Scott Strange share lead
Saturday 13 December 2014 15:00, UK
Adam Scott carded a three-under-par 69 to join fellow Australians Wade Ormsby and Scott Strange in a three-way tie for the lead after the third round of the Australian PGA Championship.
Defending champion Scott started the day two shots behind Ormsby and Strange but made up the ground after his two playing partners shot 71.
Scott, 34, had four birdies and one bogey in his round at the Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast near where he was raised.
The world No 3 trailed Strange by one shot with two holes to play but moved into a share of the lead when Strange bogeyed the 17th.
Ormsby slipped two shots behind when he bogeyed the ninth and 11th holes but he pulled one back with a birdie on the 12th then drained a long birdie on the 18th to rejoin Scott and Strange at the top of the leaderboard on 10-under 206.
In the hunt
American Boo Weekley, who led after the first round, kept himself in the hunt with a 69 that featured a chip-in for eagle on the par-five 12th.
Weekley finished the day on nine under, one behind the leading trio, and tied for fourth with Australia's Jason Scrivener, who signed for a 68.
New Zealand's Michael Hendry climbed to sixth place at eight under after shooting a 67 - the best round of the day - while American Scott Stallings is four off the lead in seventh place following a 68.
Scott, who is chasing his sixth title on the Australasian PGA Tour, said: "It was tough conditions so on a day like today it's less frustrating to see a few slide by because most people are struggling.
"Scoring wasn't great today. I kind of got away with that. If that's the case tomorrow, then I'll probably not win."
Scott is now looking to get off to a quick start in the final round on Sunday.
"It's the best thing I can do for so many reasons to give myself the advantage," he added.
"Whether it's a-crowd cheering perspective or just a rhythm of the tournament perspective. Any of these guys can get off to a good start and there's no reason why not."
