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Allenby, Nitties lead the field at The Australian

Robert Allenby gestures after sinking a birdie putt on the 11th during the third round of the Australian Open at The Australian Golf Club in Sydney yesterday. PHOTO: EPA

Two-time winner Robert Allenby and young pro James Nitties shared the lead at 10-under 206 after the third round of the Australian Open yesterday.

Allenby played impressively in windy afternoon conditions, carding four birdies and a bogey for a three-under 69 to be well placed to lift the Stonehaven Cup for a third time in today's final round.

Nitties recovered from a bogey at the par-five first to match Allenby's 69 on The Australian course.

Five players are within four shots of the pace in what is shaping up to be an exciting closing 18 holes.

The 2001 Open champion Stuart Appleby is a shot off the lead at nine-under after posting a four-under 68.

Australians Craig Parry and Nick O'Hern are both in contention for their first Open crown, sitting equal fourth on eight-under 208, just ahead of US PGA Tour rookie of the year Brandt Snedeker.

Another two-time former winner, Aaron Baddeley, is also in touch, alone in seventh place at six-under after carding a 69.

Former US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy will start today at three-under 213, leaving himself a tough task if he is to break his winless streak as a professional in his home country.

Joint overnight leader Kim Felton collapsed and is out of contention after a seven-over 79.

Allenby and Nitties know each other well after Allenby asked Nitties and his Australian amateur teammates Michael Sim and Jarrod Lyle to his home ahead of the 2004 Eisenhower Cup in Puerto Rico.

Nitties, 25, knows he will have to be at his best to overcome Allenby and the rest of the high-class field.

"We went over for a barbecue, [Allenby] invited us over before the Eisenhower Cup because we flew into America on the way to Puerto Rico and he took us out on his boat," Nitties said. "Away from the course he's just a normal Aussie dude and we had a couple of snags [sausages] and beers. Then on the course he's determined and tenacious."

■ ASIAN TOUR FINALS

AFP,KOTA KINABALU, MALAYSIA

Malaysia's Ben Leong retained his full playing rights on the Asian Tour after a closing 70 for a 18-under total of 270 and a three-shot win over compatriot Steven Tan yesterday at the Asian Tour Qualifying School Finals.

Leong, who also took top honors at the final stage qualifiers in Thailand last year, finished with a blemish-free round including two birdies at the Sabah Golf and Country Club, his home course.

Tan, who trailed Leong by two shots at the start of the final round, failed to keep up the pressure for the lead when he made three costly bogeys on his opening nine, eventually finishing on 71 for a 273 total and second place.

Australia's Rick Kulacz fired a closing 68 to finish third on 274 while China's Shang Lei's 275 total earned him fourth place.

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