18 Dec 2011

Ogilvy grabs the lead in Melbourne

6:57 am on 18 December 2011

Local golfer Geoff Ogilvy has seized the outright lead heading into the final round of the Australian Masters in Melbourne.

Ogilvy's overtaken overnight leader Ian Poulter on day three, passing the Englishman after the halfway mark to lead by two strokes with a sizzling eight under par round of 63.

Ogilvy went eagle-birdie-birdie in his first three shots and added seven more birdies for 13 under overall, equalling the course record at his home Victoria Golf Club as he bids to add the Masters to his title list - the only of the three major Australian titles he hasn't yet claimed.

Poulter shot a two under 69 while Hamilton's David Smail is among the big movers after carding seven birdies in his six under round of 65.

Smail's the best of the New Zealanders, level with world number one Luke Donald, another Englishman in a six-way share of 13th place at eight shots off the lead.