MELBOURNE, Dec 6: Local favourite Robert Allenby, although dogged by illness, grabbed a late birdie on Saturday to maintain his two-stroke lead after the third round of the Australian Masters.

The world number 18, struggling to shake off influenza and a temporary loss of hearing in his right ear, fired a level-par 72 for a three-round total of 10-under-par 206.

That left Allenby, a four-times winner on the U.S. PGA Tour, two clear of young New South Wales amateur James Nitties, who carded a 66, and joint Australian PGA champion Jarrod Moseley, after a 69.

Rod Pampling was a further shot back in fourth after a 68 while Craig Parry put himself in contention for a fourth Australian Masters title by moving into a share of fifth at six-under 210 with a matching 68.

The 32-year-old began the day two shots clear of Peter Senior, but lost ground when he three-putted for a double-bogey six at the opening hole.

Although he dropped three more shots, that was more than offset by five birdies.

Nitties, 21, mixed two bogeys and eight birdies — including four in a row from the 11th hole.

An excited Nitties told reporters: “It’s going to be tough. I’m an amateur golfer and I’m not expected to do well.

Former U.S. PGA winner Steve Elkington, playing in his home country for the first time in five years, had seven bogeys and a double-bogey on his way to a 79 while playing partner Adam Scott dropped three shots in the last four holes for a 73.

Leading third round scores

206 Robert Allenby 67 67 72

208 a-James Nitties 70 72 66, Jarrod Moseley 67 72 69

209 Rod Pampling 69 72 68

210 Andrew Buckle 70 72 68, Craig Parry 70 72 68, Brad Lamb 68 70 72

211 Peter Lonard 66 73 72, Peter Senior 67 69 75

212 Craig Carmichael 70 73 69, Adam Crawford 69 74 69, Peter O’Malley 69 74 69, Scott Gardiner 71 71 70, Jens Nilsson (Sweden) 72 69 71

213 Michael Pearson (U.S.) 71 74 68, Stephen Allan 72 71 70, Jason Dawes 72 70 71, David Diaz 70 72 71, Adam Scott 71 69 73

Harrington falters