Stadler leads an eager chasing pack

Englishmen Paul Casey and Ross Fisher have climbed into contention at the Johnnie Walker Classic at The Vines in Perth as they…

Englishmen Paul Casey and Ross Fisher have climbed into contention at the Johnnie Walker Classic at The Vines in Perth as they moved to within five strokes of American leader Kevin Stadler.

Casey recovered from a double-bogey on the par-three seventh to hit back with an eagle on the par-five 10th, followed by birdies on the 12th, 13th and 18th to shoot a five-under third round 67.

He was joined in ninth by Fisher - ranked 340 in the world - who had a tremendous start with a birdie on the second followed by an eagle on the 473metre par-five third.

However he was unable to make the most of the fast start, recording consecutive bogeys on the fifth and sixth holes before recovering with four birdies on the back nine to shoot a four-under 68 to finish the day on 12 under.

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Fellow Englishman Ian Poulter is still in the hunt at 11 under, but was visibly disappointed with his third round 69.

Oliver Wilson enjoyed the hot conditions, shooting a six-under 66 to be 10-under overall, with leading Scot Stephen Gallacher one shot behind after a round of 70.

Steve Webster earlier shot a solid third-round 68 to be nine-under, one stroke ahead of Mark Foster who shot a 70.

But it was Stadler who continued to surprise, shooting a fantastic six-under 66 as he raced to 17-under for the tournament, a two stroke lead over his nearest rivals KJ Choi and Richard Green.

Choi - the overnight leader - had a mixed day, extending his lead early with an eagle on the third, before a bogey on the fourth and a double-bogey on the par-four eighth saw him relinquish the lead.

Australian’s Gavin Flint, Nick O’Hern and Italian Francesco Molinari were tied for third at 14-under, with Fred Couples and Craig Parry one stroke further behind.

Defending champion Adam Scott is 11-under after a disappointing round of 70, with Tony Carolan falling off the pace and sitting at six-under after a bad round of 75.