Jason Day has an early lead in his round three battle with South African George Coetzee at the WGC-Match Play Championship at Dove Mountain.

Unlike his previous two wins when he fell behind early, World No.11 Day has opened a 2-up advantage through nine holes on the No.59 ranked South African.

The Australian kick started his round with a lovely approach to just four feet on the first to win with a birdie and although Coetzee countered with a birdie to win the second hole Day has been mostly in control since.

Coetzee found water on the third to give Day the advantage once more and the Queenslander doubled his lead with another birdie on the fifth hole to put him a step closer to the final eight.

But Coetzee refused to lay down, nailing an eagle on the par five eighth to keep the contest close.

However Day countered on the ninth with a scrambling par, good enough for a win after Coetzee’s approach found the desert.

Day finished third at the event last year after losing to eventual champion Matt Kuchar in the semi finals.