Australian Rohan Blizard moved to a one-shot lead ahead of the final round of the NZ PGA Championship after shooting a six-under 66 in Queenstown.
Blizard had six birdies, including two at the start of a blemish-free round at The Hills, to improve to 15-under and leapfrog defending champion and overnight co-leader Michael Hendry.
Aucklander Hendry sits in sole second place after carding a 68.
Australian Scott Strange, who also had a share of the lead at the start of the day, signed for a 69 to be third.
For Blizard, it will be uncharted territory as he goes into Sunday seeking his second PGA Tour of Australasia title to follow the 2011 West Australian Open.
It’s the first time he’s topped the leaderboard after 54 holes on the tour but he’s unperturbed by the novelty.
“Rather be one ahead than one behind I guess,” he said.
“I don’t mind having the lead – go out there and try to keep to my game plan and have fun.”
Hendry will look to find his driving touch as he chases a successful defence, having struggled off the tee in his three rounds so far.
“It started okay today but it got really ragged on the back nine so I’m going to have to improve that for tomorrow,” he said.
The next best-placed New Zealander is Gareth Paddison, who is tied for fifth, four shots off the pace, after a 70.
Among those a shot back is veteran New Zealander Greg Turner, who late last year returned to competitive golf after a break of eight years.
Turner shot a 67 put him 10-under and in a seven-way tie for seventh.