Brandt Snedeker took a three-stroke lead on Saturday in the windswept Fiji International golf tournament, shooting a two-under-par 70 in difficult conditions at Natadola Bay.
Coming off the United States' Ryder Cup victory on Sunday (Monday AEDT) in Minnesota, Snedeker had three birdies and a bogey to reach 12-under 204 on the Vijay Singh-designed layout. He opened with a 69 and shot a 64 on Friday.
""It was a tough day. It was also a day where you want to go real low," Snedeker said of Saturday's play.
"I did a good job of hanging in there and giving myself a chance. Going in there tomorrow I've got to go in and finish it off.
"A three shot lead doesn't really matter, with wind like this is, it's one hole."
There are a host of Australians chasing Snedeker, with Anthony Houston three shots back in second after a 73, and countryman Matthew Giles, the second-round leader, a shot further back after a 75.
"I was struggling mid-round. In the past I would give it away and drop a few more shots but I really hung in there," Houston said.
"You never want to lose it and just give up when you're playing with such a good person like Brandt.
"I'm sure he's been where I was before and did the right things so I want to do the right things too."
New Zealand's Gareth Paddison followed his course-record 64 with a 69 on Saturday to join countryman Michael Hendry (68) at seven under.
Australians Ben Eccles and Brett Rankin are tied for sixth, with Todd Sinnott, Andrew Evans and Matthew Griffin (all tied for ninth) the other Australians in the top-10 after three rounds.
Ranked 23rd in the world, Snedeker won at Torrey Pines in February for his eighth PGA Tour title. He's trying to win his first international title in the event sanctioned by European, Australasian and Asian tours.
