Spargo Shoots to Top at Australian Masters


Paul Spargo took the 54-hole lead in the Australian Masters following a 1-under 71 on Saturday. The PGA Tour of Australasia event is taking place at Metropolitan Golf Club near Melbourne.

The 34-year-old Spargo carded five birdies and four bogeys to reach 8-under 208, a stroke ahead of overnight leader and fellow Aussie Michael Wright, who had a 74.

Windy conditions continued to make the Metropolitan course difficult, although the players tied for third, amateur Lucas Herbert and Nick Cullen, fired stellar rounds of 65 and 66, respectively.

"I'm happy with the result considering the conditions, I made some good shots coming in," said Spargo. "Who knows what we'll get weather-wise tomorrow." Sunday's forecast calls for lighter winds.

Playing in the final group, Spargo and Wright received a slow-play warning from officials. The two managed to get back in sync and didn't receive any penalties. "We were given a warning on 10," Spargo told reporters.

"Then I think we went on the clock on about 12. We were a bit on-off. It was a bit of a yoyo. Obviously you catch up and then you get off the clock and then we were back off the clock and then we were back on again."

"We were just put on the clock - on and off, on and off," noted Wright, who admitted to being distracted by the warnings. "It was one of those things. I guess the guys have got to do it but it's frustrating from a player's point of view. We've got to cop on the chin and move on."

Geoff Ogilvy and Josh Younger each posted 71s to tie for sixth at 5-under, while another stroke back are fellow Aussies Chris Campbell, Nick O'Hern, Adam Bland, Kim Felton, Adam Scott, Aron Price, Matthew Griffin and Matthew Guyatt.

After opening with a 73, Scott, who's searching for his third straight victory in the Australian Masters, has rebounded with rounds of 68 and 71 and trails Spargo by four heading into the final round.

"I hung in there, I felt I swung the club today better than before, and that's something I need to keep going for tomorrow," the No. 2-ranked player in the world told reporters. "You never know, I might be within shouting distance.

"Anyone sitting in my position is going out with no pressure. Posting a number is a big thing in a golf tournament with some tough finishing holes here."

Zac Blair (69) and Boo Weekley (70) are the highest-ranked Americans at 2-under, while Kyle Stanley has shot two straight 73s and is another stroke down the leaderboard.

For updated scores, visit http://www.pga.org.au/tourns/pga-tour/event/leaderboard?season=2014&tour=pga&id=1075#round3-holes10-18-006919.