PERTH, Australia (AP) Local West Australian player Brody Ninyette shot a 5-under 67 Saturday to take a one-shot lead after the third round of the Perth International.
Ninyette had seven birdies and two bogeys in a round which gave him an 8-under total of 208 in the European Tour event. He was a shot ahead of compatriot Brett Rumford, J.B. Hansen of Denmark and Jin Jeong of South Korea.
Rumford shot a 65, Hansen a 66 and Jeong had a 69 to remain in contention at Australia's richest tournament.
England's Richard Finch and Ross Fisher were among a group of five players a further shot back. Defending champion Bo Van Pelt shot a 71 to drop back into a tie for 13th with overnight leader Peter Hedblom of Sweden. Hedblom needs to win to keep his European Tour card, but only managed a 75 to fall shots off the pace.
The 26-year-old Ninyette, who is of indigenous Australian heritage, shot 69 in the second round and was even better on Saturday. He said his close friend and local player Ric Edwards gave him advice about how to play the Lake Karrinyup Country Club course.