Nick O'Hern's Australian Masters lead cut to 3 shots

Australia's Nick O'Hern held on to his lead at the Australian Masters after the third round on Saturday, though "triple crown" seeking Robert Allenby positioned himself for a final-day charge.

O'Hern made his first bogies of the tournament on the par-four first, 13th and 17th, but made five birdies and shot a two-under 70 to move to 16-under par, three shots ahead of compatriot Allenby.

"I played very solidly again today," said O'Hern. "Just too many putts. It's that simple. I felt I putted alright, I just didn't hit the lines.

"Rob's not going to back down or anything like that. He's going to come out firing and I wouldn't expect anything else.

"I love matchplay. It's why we play the game, to have these sorts of battles. I think tomorrow's going to be a lot of fun."

Allenby, who started five shots behind O'Hern on Saturday, shot four-under 68 to move to 13-under 203.

The 34-year-old Allenby is seeking to become the first player to win the Australian Open, PGA and Masters in one season.

"I've caught up a couple of shots, so I've got to be very happy with that going in to tonight," said Allenby.

"It's on for young and old tomorrow, that's for sure."

Allenby said he was disappointed with the speed of the greens on the back nine, which had affected his charge after he made four successive birdies on the front nine.

"Obviously I was pleased with the way I played on the front nine," said Allenby. "On the back nine I found that I just wasn't hitting it close enough.

"I struggled purely because of the speed of the greens. They're just inconsistent. I found that the surface ...once we got to nine, the greens just started going a different colour.

"I guess they're trying to get them harder, they're trying to get them faster and then when the wind's blowing the way it was out there, it makes it tough to get to some of the flags."

Bubba Watson of the U.S., who had been tied for second at the start of the day, was third on 12-under 204 after he shot a three-under 69, while Australia's John Senden (68) was in fourth one shot further back.

Stuart Appleby shot a six-under 66 with five birdies and an eagle to move into fifth. His only blemish was a bogey five on the par-four 16th.

World number eight Adam Scott, who just made the cut of two over, found his form on Saturday shooting a four-under 68 to move to two-under 214. Scott shot a 76 on Thursday and 70 on Friday to sneak into the field for the weekend.

December 10, 2005

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