Nisbet rockets up the Australian Open leaderboard

Journeyman Daniel Nesbit was first to tee off yesterday at 7.35am at the Australian Open, in a tie for 55th.

In benign third-round conditions, the 28-year-old Queeenslander carded a flawless four-birdie 67 to rocket up the leaderboard in a tie for ninth.

Today Nisbet will sleep in, teeing off at 11.36am with Aron Price and Jake Higginbottom, looking for his biggest payday of the year.

So far in 10 tournaments, Nesbit has banked only $14,440.64, with his best result a $5,903.33 cheque for finishing in a tie for third at the Western Australian Open Championship, and $5,550.81 for 35th at the Fiji Championship.

How world number one Rory McIlroy would have liked a 67, instead of his nightmare 76 in tougher conditions that included a triple, a double, three bogeys, and three birdies.

McIlroy is six shots off the pace set by Greg Chalmers, Brett Rumford, and American Jordan Spieth, and will need to shoot in the low 60s to have any chance of retaining his title.

World number three Adam Scott is well-placed at four-under, just a shot shy, after his third round 69 with two birdies going out, and a bogey-birdie coming home.

Scott’s in the same group today as Rod Pampling, who also shot a third round 69, that was highlighted by a spectacular eagle two on the par-four 10th.

Both are renowned wind golfers, with the Australian course wide open to the elements. The field can count on ever-changing winds of various force during this afternoons final round.

Scott and world 14 Spieth look set to battle it out in front of a big crowd. Sydney golf fans have embraced the tournament, and it’s good to see, they can be so fickle.

Two-time champion Robert Allenby will have his followers, especially if he leaves his putting yips in the big house. Still one of the cleanest strikers of the ball, he’s been let down by the flat stick for far too long.

And a special salute to 22-year-old amateur Todd Sinnott, who did so well last week at the Masters, and is repeating the dose at the Open.

He’s shot rounds of 71 67 73 to be two-under, and certainly in with a shout today.

Sinnott will tee off in the second last group with Scott and Pampling, another huge learning curve for the Victorian in such company.

The main contenders
Five-under – Greg Chalmers, Brett Rumford and Jordan Spieth.

Four-under – Adam Scott and Rod Pampling.

Two-under – Todd Sinnott (Am).

One -under – Aron Price and Jake Higginbottom.

Even par – Daniel Nisbet, Ryan Fox, Josh Younger, David Bransdon and Robert Allenby.

One-over – Rory McIlroy with nine others including American Boo Weekley, Richard Green, and James Nitties.