Australian golfer Brett Rumford's five shot lead at the World Super 6 in Perth now counts for nothing with today's final round becoming a knockout, match play event.
Brett Rumford in Perth. Photo: Photosport
The top 24 golfers will battle it out in a series of head-to-head, six-hole duels.
Rumford at least earns a bye in the first round after snaring a top-eight seeding but could be knocked out in the round of 16 if he loses his first contest.
The 39-year-old was 17-under through his opening three rounds.
Australians Jason Scrivener, Adam Blyth, Lucas Herbert and Steven Jeffress all earned seedings after finishing equal second at 12-under.
British Open winner Louis Oosthuizen and Canadian Austin Connelly also finished at 12 under to earn a bye during the first round of match play.
There were six players tied at equal eighth, but Jake Higginbottom was the lucky one to earn the last seeding because his third round was better than everyone else's.
There was also an intriguing battle late on Saturday as the race to squeeze into the top 24 heated up.
By the end of it, eight players were locked in a battle for the remaining five match play spots, leading to an intense playoff battle on the 18th hole.
Jeev Milkha Singh, Samuel Brazel, Duncan Stewart, Matthew Millar, and Phachara Khongwatmai all made it through.
New Zealand's Ryan Fox, England's Jordan Smith and Sebastian Heisele missed out.
Oosthuizen feels like a defending champion of sorts after winning the now- defunct Perth International last year.
The world No.25 shot a five-under 67 in his third round at the World Super 6, and is hoping to continue his hot form in the match play.
- AAP
