Mark Brown will be seeking to become the first home champion of the New Zealand golf open in nine years today.
The 37-year-old Wellington professional carded a six under par 66 at the Clearwater Golf Club in Christchurch to climb from a share of 17th place into the outright lead.
He will take a three-shot lead into the final round from Australian professional Peter Wilson (71) and amateur Jake Higginbottom (72).
The other New Zealander in contention is Michael Hendry who shot a round of two under par 70 to put him in a four-way share of fourth.
At his first New Zealand Open in five years, Brown says it would be huge to win and says there's a lot of things at stake.
Currently third on the PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit, Brown will try to secure his first international win since claiming the Johnnie Walker Championship on the European Tour in 2008.
