Australian left hander Nick O’Hern carded the lowest round of the week as a flawless eight under par 63 earned him the third round lead at Royal Melbourne, one clear of compatriots Jarrod Lyle and Craig Parry, but Ernie Els kept his hopes of a fourth straight Heineken Classic title alive as he moved within three shots of the lead.
O'Hern, who finished 12th on last year’s European Tour Order of Merit after a remarkably consistent 2004 season that wielded 11 top ten finishes, ignored the pain of a leg injury that has been troubling him for two months to birdie three of the last seven holes and finish the day at 14 under par 199. The 33 year old, underwent surgery to his right knee in December and has been suffering pain in his left leg which he has been favouring.
"It hasn't affected my swing. Walking was the problem," he said.
O'Hern picked up eight birdies without dropping a shot as he chases his first European Tour title. "I've played better and shot worse," he said. "I just putted beautifully and if you can putt well around here you are going to shoot a good score.
"I last won in Australia back in 1999 so it's been a long time," admitted O'Hern.
"If I keep putting myself in position I'm going to knock through that wall and once I win one I should be able to win a few more."
World Number Three Els, winner of all three previous Heineken Classic titles at Royal Melbourne, eagled the second on his way to posting a five under par 66 and lies joint fourth with Australian Brett Rumford, the 2004 Nissan Irish Open Champion.
"My game's not far off but it's just a little frustrating when I'm getting myself in position and I make a couple of mistakes," Els said after his eagle was followed by six birdies and three bogeys.
Lonard, who claimed a hat-trick of Australian titles at the end of 2004, started the third round sharing the lead with Colin Montgomerie but both players lost ground with rounds of 70 and 72 respectively.
