KAPALUA (Hawaii): Australian Stuart Appleby closed in on a third straight victory at the Mercedes Championships on Saturday, again defying windy conditions to stretch his lead to two strokes after three rounds. Appleby fired a three-under-par 70 for six-under 213 as he continued his quest to join Gene Littler (1955-57) as the only players to win this event three straight times.

For the second straight day, winds gusted to more than 30 miles per hour, but Appleby used his powerful swing to stay out of danger and match the day’s best score.

His only bogey came at the par-three second, and he more than made amends with four birdies over the next 16 holes on a day when the field averaged just over 75 strokes. Even so, Appleby said his score could have been better.

“I left two or three shots out there, missed too many opportunities for birdies, but overall I’m happy with where I am,” he said.

New Zealand’s US Open champion Michael Campbell had a strong putting round for sole possession of second place after a 71.

Jim Furyk (72) was three shots behind, while Lucas Glover (70), who had a hole-in-one at the par-three eighth, trailed by four strokes.

Appleby won the past two years in much easier conditions but seems at home here no matter what the weather.

After the miscue at the third, Appleby was not in serious danger of dropping another shot until the 17th, where he sent his first putt 12 feet beyond the hole before sinking the comeback attempt.

Appleby said he was trying not to think about the historical aspect of a third straight win in this event, formerly known as the Tournament of Champions.

“I hope I’m not thinking about that (on Sunday),” he said. “I believe my best is enough to finish first and be a ‘threepeater.’ I’ll be really feeding on the vibe I’ve had for the last nearly three years.

Campbell, meanwhile, sank four par-saving putts from 10 feet or longer, making amends for some wayward approach shots.

Although Campbell and Appleby are not compatriots, they both come from the southern Pacific Rim, where nearly everyone lives near the coast, which may explain their positions atop the leaderboard.

Leading third-round scores: