Refreshed Ormsby pushes for Fiji golf win

South Australian Wade Ormsby will enter the final round of the Fiji International with a one-shot lead after shooting 66 on day three.

Australian golfer Wade Ormsby

Australia's Wade Ormsby made five birdies on his back nine on Saturday. (AAP)

Australian golfer Wade Ormsby believes a long injury lay-off has helped put him in a position to win the $1.5 million Fiji International, as he enters the final round with a one-shot lead.

The 37-year-old carded a six-under-par round of 66 at Natadola Bay on Saturday to take him to 10 under for the tournament.

After missing the bulk of last year with a neck injury, Orsmby said he was feeling solid heading into Sunday's final round.

"A break from this game, it doesn't matter from injury or just four weeks off, it just freshens your head up," Ormsby said.

"It gives you time on a lengthy break to sit and back and realise how lucky you are playing this game."

The Adelaide-based world No. 437 reeled off seven birdies, including five on the back nine, with his short game coming to the fore.

"I was getting a bit frustrated out there, but my putter started to get a bit hot so I started moving in the right direction," Ormsby said.

"Richard on my bag he was saying 'just try and stay cool'. That happened and I made a ton of birdies."

Fellow South Australian Jason Norris opened up a three-shot advantage midway through the round, but a triple bogey on the 16th hole proved costly.

He bounced back with a birdie on 17 to fire a 70 and trail Ormsby by one stroke.

Victorian James Marchesani is third on eight under after finishing strongly to shoot a 67.

Big-hitting Queenslander Scott Hend, who shared the overnight lead with Norris and two others, is equal fourth after salvaging a frustrating day by making birdies on the final two holes.

Hend had an even-par round to stay seven under and was joined three shots off the pace by Victorian Peter Wilson (70) and Zimbabwean Scott Vincent (68).

Mike Weir shot 69 to be best among three former US Masters champions, with the Canadian at four under.

Angel Cabrera started strongly but tailed off on the back nine for a 72 and was at three under, while Fijian legend Vijay Singh was at even-par after a 73.


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Source: AAP



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