Australia's Andre Stolz, the overnight leader, collected five birdies to move ahead by two points after today's third round of the ANZ golf championship.
Stoltz began a wet and windy day at The Lakes holding a surprise one-point lead but managed to extend his advantage to two after a near-flawless round of six-under-par 66.
Australia's Craig Parry led a pack of chasers breathing down Stoltz' neck. The New Zealand Open champion finished the day close behind Stoltz on 37 points after a fluctuating round which included seven birdies and five bogeys.
Sweden's Richard Johnson and Scotland's Stephen Gallacher were tied for third on 35 points after climbing up the leaders' board, with Australia's Scott Laycock (34) and Peter O'Malley (33) just behind.
The modified stableford event is co-sanctioned by the European and Australasian Tours. Stoltz, who will caddy for his wife Cathy at next week's Australian women's Players Championship, picked up eight points with four birdies on the front nine, then collected two more points with another birdie at the 14th.
He dropped a shot with a bogey at the par-five 17th after his aggressive approach to the green went into the water but composed himself to hole a 10-foot putt for par on the last. Under the competition's modified rules, designed to encourage attacking golf, players receive five points for any eagles and two for birdies but nothing for a par. They lose a point for a bogey.