Plenty in contention for Carrus Tauranga Open

IN CHARGE: Mark Brown takes a one shot lead into the final round of the Carrus Open at the Tauranga Golf Club tomorrow. Photo: Simon Watts

Three-time Carrus Open champion Mark Brown is once again in the lead entering the final round at the Tauranga Golf Club with a one-shot lead.

In the final event of the Jennian Homes Charles Tour summer, Brown is in perfect position to take home two trophies this time tomorrow, with the season-long Jennian Homes Trophy also in his sights.

This is familiar territory for the local who will be hard to beat in his backyard. It has been no secret what the key to low scores are this week as he prepares for a big finish.

"I'm playing steady golf and like I said at the start of the week it's going to be a case of who makes the most putts and hopefully that can be me tomorrow," said Brown.

The race for the Jennian Homes Trophy is still alive due to pre-tournament leader Gareth Paddison in twelfth position after a slow start this week. However he showed today why he is leading the points race by shooting a clinical round of seven-under (63) to show he is not done yet.

If Paddison is unable to pull off a top-three finish, it could be a very happy day for the Brown family who are in line to collect over $13,000. However, it's first things first for the experienced Tauranga professional.

"I think it's of great interest to the tour and it's great that Jennian Homes are getting behind it and getting some publicity for it, but I am just going to try win tomorrow, it will be nice to win four of these."

This victory could be one of his most challenging yet, with a tightly congested leaderboard not far behind.

Te Puke pro Jared Pender shot out to an impressive two-stroke lead late in today's round which had the clubhouse humming before he made three bogeys on the home stretch. He remains in the final group and is joined at 12-under by David Klein who has been leading all week.

There is more dangerous company a further shot back with Luke Toomey, Fraser Wilkin, Dongwoo Kang and Harry Bateman all in position to attack.

This leaderboard is providing the Jennian Homes Charles Tour with a perfect showdown to finish what has been a truly fantastic summer of golf.

Another player who has enjoyed their summer is 13-year-old Carmen Lim who is tied for the lead in the women's field alongside fellow victorious Toro Interprovincial team-mate Brittney Dryland.

"I'm pretty proud of myself because I feel like I'm always improving which is nice," said Lim.

The Aucklander has been a consistent performer throughout the summer and is aiming to finish in style tomorrow.

"I was in the final group at the Akarana Open as well, so that gives me confidence leading into the final round."

It's clear this young Auckland talent is enjoying her time on the national circuit.

"I love playing on this tour, it's so fun and I have loved playing with everyone."

A further three strokes back is Waikato's Chantelle Cassidy who is yet to show her recent Muriwai Open form. If she can get a few putts to drop, anything can happen on the final day.

Men's scores after round three - par 70

197 Mark Brown (PGA New Zealand) 64 66 67
198 Jared Pender (Te Puke) 65 67 66, David Klein (Te Anau) 63 66 69
199 Dongwoo Kang (PGA New Zealand) 64 68 67, Fraser Wilkin (Royal Auckland) 67 64 68, Luke Toomey (PGA New Zealand) 67 63 69, Harry Bateman (Muriwai) 65 64 70
200 Tae Koh (Windross Farm Golf Course) 69 67 64, Josh Geary (PGA New Zealand) 66 69 65, Troy Ropiha (PGA New Zealand) 65 68 67, Daniel Pearce (PGA New Zealand) 66 65 69
201 Gareth Paddison (PGA New Zealand) 67 71 63
202 Wesley Jeon (Whitford Park) 68 70 64, Kieran Muir (Omokoroa) 70 65 67
203 Matthew McLean (Harewood) 68 68 67, Nick Coxon (Riverside) 68 64 71
204 Brad Shilton (PGA New Zealand) 66 72 66, Sam An (Titirangi) 72 65 67, Victor Janin (Rotorua) 68 68 68
205 Luke Brown (Muriwai) 70 68 67, Ben Campbell (PGA New Zealand) 69 67 69, William Howard (Tauranga) 67 68 70

Women's scores after round three - par 72

214 Brittney Dryland (Titirangi) 72 71 71, Carmen Lim (Windross Farm Golf Course) 71 70 73
217 Chantelle Cassidy (Riverside) 71 73 73
219 Alanna Campbell (Omanu) 75 71 73
221 Rose Zheng (Pakuranga) 71 73 77
226 Sato Tajima (Rotorua) 77 74 75, Grace Senior (Wairakei International Golf Course) 74 73 79, Jodae Ngaheu (Tauranga) 71 76 79