First it was Queensland’s Lawry Flynn, who after making the turn in six-under 31, bogeyed the 10th hole before proceeding to go on a six-under run through seven holes.

That saw him settling over a putt at the 18th for golf’s magic number, a 59, one that would have included the game’s other special score, a hole-in-one at the par-3 15th.

The 15 footer at the last failed to fall, but Flynn knocked in his par putt for an 11-under round to vault to 14-under and a share of fourth at the end of the day.

“That's the best round I've ever had, by a shot,” Flynn said Saturday having believed he would miss the cut following Friday’s second round.

“The whole day I was hitting it fairly solid and I was rolling the putts exactly where I was seeing them. It was towards the end – when I birdied the par-5 – I got to eight (under) after that hole. I knew that today was going to be pretty low because I still had a few good birdie holes coming up.

Daniel Gale is tied at the top after a Saturday 65. PHOTO: Australian Golf.

"And then I had the hole-in-one on the next hole and then had to bring myself down to play the next two birdie-able holes.”

The ink was barely dry on his course record when LPGA Tour player Sarah Jane Smith came in with a 62 to lift her into a share of sixth by the end of play, while it was a 65 for former Bonnie Doon member Jordan Zunic to share fourth with Flynn.

Zunic noted a lack of putts dropping during round three, perhaps an ominous sign for those in front of him on Sunday.

That group includes the PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit leader David Micheluzzi on 15-under and amateur Jeffrey Guan and Daniel Gale tied at the top on 17-under.

“Just happy to be up there with a round to go and see what happens,” Micheluzzi said, noting a disappointing range session and feeling of discomfort with his swing during round three. “There is a lot of birdies to be had out there. It wasn’t as windy as yesterday, but it was enough to blow you around.”

Those sentiments were echoed by Gale, who shot a 65 including an eagle at the short par-4 12th after driving it to four feet. The Castle Hill member with a chance to be the leader on his own if not for an 18th hole three putt bogey from just off the green.

“It was pretty tricky. That wind was really gusting up there at the end with that storm system that wasn't too far away,” Gale said. “I played really good out there. If you'd asked me at the start of the day if I'd take six-under, of course.

"A share of the lead rather than being outright leader but obviously in a good position.”

Grace Kim experienced a frustrating day at Bonnie Doon eventually finishing with a four-over round. PHOTO: Australian Golf media.

Despite still just a teenager, Guan is familiar and comfortable with his position in the mix of a pro event.

With his mates from nearby The Australian Golf Club following along, the 18-year-old compiled seven birdies and an eagle during his 65.

“Because I have grown up playing so many tournaments and I've been lucky to have played in the final group quite a bit, it really helped my experience in playing bigger tournaments. I don't think I should tell myself to be any more worried than I should be,” Guan said.

While there were birdies, eagles and an ace at the top of the leaderboard, the player who stood alone with the lead on Friday evening headed the other way Saturday.

Leading by three overnight, Grace Kim birdied the 1st to reach 15-under before a double bogey at the driveable par-4 2nd hole. It was all pars until another short par-4, the 12th where Kim made bogey.

The Sydneysider’s second birdie of the day at the par-5 14th was followed by bogey at the short par-3 next and another double bogey six at the penultimate hole following a wayward drive.

A par at the last gave Kim a four-over round of 75 and a total of 10-under with the need for something low in the mould of Flynn on Sunday to rise from her share of 18th back into contention.