Golf: Faltering finish could be costly for O'Malley

The experienced Australian golfer Peter O'Malley blew the chance to build a decisive lead in the New Zealand PGA Championship.

O'Malley heads into the final round at Clearwater Resort on the outskirts of Christchurch today tied for the lead at 11-under 205 with Americans Jeff Gove and Johnson Wagner.

The Australian, 39, has won six times on the Australasian and European circuits, and wanted the Canterbury wind to blow.

A boisterous northeasterly swept the par-72 course and he seemed to be in firm control with a three-shot lead at the 15th.

But O'Malley then dropped shots like confetti, four-putting the 16th from 15 feet for a double bogey five, before three-putting the last to shoot 71 and tumble back into the clutches of the two Americans.

Wagner, 25, from Amarillo, Texas, pocketed five birdies in compiling 68, while Gove dipped into red figures for the third successive day to shoot 70.

Nine players are within two strokes, including Australian Jarrod Lyle, who trails O'Malley by one, followed by four on 207.

They include Colombian Camilo Villegas, who shot 71, Australian Kim Felton, 66, and Americans Jerry Smith and Brandt Snedeker, 67 and 70.

Australian Steven Bowditch, who began with a hot 64, posted a disappointing 76.

- NZPA