New South Welshman Rohan Blizard holds the lead entering the final round of the NZPGA Championship in Queenstown.
Building his confidence from the first hole, Blizard fired a six-under-par 66 on Saturday to lead by a shot from defending champion Michael Hendry.
“I actually got a bit lucky on the first hole,” said Blizard.
“I didn’t hit the best drive, kind of pulled it a little bit left and it just sat up short of the long grass.
“Luckily enough I had a good lie, had an opportunity to go for the green and hit in the greenside trap but got up and down.
“That settled me down really well.”
Blizard has been flying under the radar but with rounds of 67, 68 and 66 to be 15 under, he is well placed to claim his second PGA Tour of Australasia title.
“I don’t think I’ve ever led going into the final round so that will be a first this week,” said Blizard, who won the 2011 West Australian Open Championship.
Heading into the final round outright third on 13 under is West Australian Scott Strange, while a shot further back is Victorian Leigh Deagan.