England's Justin Rose, winless in
four years, shot a 4-under-par 68 Saturday to take a two-stroke lead
after three rounds of the Australian Masters at Huntingdale.
Rose, who trailed second-round leader Aaron Pike of Australia by
two strokes going into the third round, has a 13-under par total of
203.
Raphael Jacquelin of France (67), former Australian Open champion
Greg Chalmers (68) and Pike, a 21-year-old amateur who shot 72
Saturday, are tied for second at 11-under 205. Pike led after each
of the first two rounds and equaled the course record of 64 on
Thursday.
Three golfers are tied for fifth at 8-under 208, five strokes
back _ England's Paul Casey (67), Sweden's Carl Suneson (69) and
Australian Peter Lonard (69).
Rose won four tournaments in 2002 but has no victories since,
although he finished 47th on the U.S. PGA Tour money list this year
with five top-10 finishes.
``It would mean a lot for sure,'' Rose said of a win here. ``It
would be like a little icing on the cake really for the way I've
finished the year off.''
``Before this week I felt like, win or not, the confidence l've
gained from putting myself in contention a lot was going to help me
for next year. And hopefully have a breakthrough year next year.''
Pike had a bad start when he gave away his two-shot lead with a
double-bogey six on the first hole.
But he settled down and eventually made a birdie-birdie finish to
remain within striking distance of Rose.
