O'Hern takes lead after shooting 63

Australian left-hander Nick O'Hern shot a flawless round of eight-under-par 63 to grab the outright lead after the third round of the Heineken Classic at Royal Melbourne on Saturday.

O'Hern 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 199, leading by a shot from fellow Australians Craig Parry and Jarrod Lyle.

South Africa's defending champion Ernie Els was tied with Brett Rumford at 11-under while overnight leaders Peter Lonard and Colin Montgomerie slipped back in the field.

O'Hern, 33, 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," O'hern said.

O'Hern drained eight birdies without dropping a shot on Saturday to record the best round of the tournament so far and head into the final round leading by a stroke.

"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."

Parry birdied the last three holes in a round of 65 while Lyle, who was diagnosed with leukaemia as a teenager six years ago but made a full recovery, shot 66 for the second day running.

Lyle, 23, eagled the par-five second hole and got to 14-under with a birdie at 12 but dropped a shot on the 14th to finish the day just one off the pace.

"I've never been in this position before," said Lyle, playing in just his sixth professional tournament. "To come out here and shoot five-under today was pleasing because I didn't really know what to expect.

Els, chasing his fourth successive win in Australia's richest golf tournament, also eagled the second hole in a round of 66.

He finished the day tied with Rumford in fourth place and still in contention to win. The in-form local Lonard, one of two joint overnight leaders, finished at 10-under after a round of 70 while Britain's Montgomerie slipped back to eight-under after a round of 72.

Els also had a mixed day day, with his eagle, six birdies and three bogeys.

"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.

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