Queensland golfer Adam Blyth shapes as the man to beat at the Victorian Open as he chases a first tournament victory since turning professional way back in 2004.
Blyth carded a six-under 66 at 13th Beach on Saturday, moving to 13-under 203 and ensuring he will take a three-stroke lead into the final round.
Leading the chasing pack are fellow Australians Stephen Dartnall (70) and Matthew Millar (67) and New Zealander Michael Long (67).
Blyth cashed in on a fast start on Saturday, making four birdies in his opening six holes.
A double-bogey at the seventh was a blow, but he got going again on the back nine.
"My message is to stay level in 2016," said the 34-year-old Blyth.
"I keep saying to myself that whatever happens happens, the birdies will come but so may the bogey or double.
"That happened today but hopefully I can cut it out tomorrow.
"It would be fantastic to win, not only for all the practice that I've put in, but also because it really does feel like a really big event."
New Zealander Long can claim the 1996 NZ Open and the 1999 Greg Norman International among his professional wins.
Now 47, he combines tournament play with his role as general manager of a golf complex in Perth and duties as a director of the Australasian PGA Tour.
He drained a huge eagle putt on the last hole on Saturday to move into a tie for second spot.
"I'm at that stage of my career where I don't really have to prove a lot," said Long.
"If I'm out there I might as well enjoy myself. There's no point being out there beating myself up."
Victorian teenager Zach Murray is in the frame to be the first amateur since Brad Lamb in 2000 to win the Victorian Open.
He shot a spectacular third round of six-under 66 to be tied for fifth at nine-under 206 and vowed to take a "nothing to lose" attitude into Sunday's final round.
"I just need to keep playing the way I have been," said Murray.
"My game's feeling really good so I just need to go and rest up tonight and come out firing tomorrow.
"To break the (amateur) drought would be very nice."
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