The Australian sits at 12-under-par following rounds of 65 and 67 and will head into Sunday tied alongside Brett Quigley and Zach Johnson, whose third-round 63 was the low round of the day.

The trio marks the largest share of a 36-hole lead on PGA TOUR Champions since the 2025 U.S Senior Open, which was played over 72 holes.

Hend’s total of 132 is his lowest 36-hole score in the PGA TOUR Champions, bettering the 134 he posted at the 2026 Senior PGA Championship, where he eventually finished tied for third.

The 52-year-old is chasing his second victory on the tour in just his 13th start and enters the final round carrying strong form. In his three starts on the circuit in 2026, Hend has finished tied for third at the Senior PGA Championship, runner-up at the Regions Tradition and claimed victory at the Trophy Hassan II.

That run has helped elevate Hend to No.5 in the 2026 Charles Schwab Cup standings.

Victory this weekend would see Hend become just the second multiple winner on PGA TOUR Champions this season, joining Stewart Cink, who has already won four times.

A win would also make Hend the first player to win back-to-back starts on PGA TOUR Champions since Cink achieved the feat at the 2026 Hoag Classic and Senior PGA Championship.

There is additional history on offer for Hend, who is making his debut appearance at the Principal Charity Classic and is aiming to become just the fourth player to win the event in their first start.

Sunday also represents another milestone moment, with Hend holding or sharing the lead heading into the final round of a PGA TOUR Champions event for the first time. He will play in the final group for only the second time this season as he looks to convert another strong week into silverware.