The West Australian, who shared the overnight lead with Declan O’Donovan, finished his round in near darkness following a two-hour lightning delay earlier in the afternoon.

Watt started his round with four birdies on his opening six holes and he was the first player to reach double figures at 10-under par after a gain at the sixth. The lead changed hands on numerous occasions, but birdies at the 12th, 14th and 15th saw him take the outright lead on 13-under par.

“Bogey free is always good, but happy with the seven birdies as kind of a carry on from yesterday,” said Watt, who is chasing a first Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia victory. “But when you go through a round with no bogies, it’s always really satisfying.

“It was an interesting afternoon with the last three holes getting pretty dark. I was happy to finish. Everything’s working pretty well; solid tee-to-green and rolling some putts. Hopefully do the same stuff over the weekend and push up that leaderboard.”

He sits one stroke ahead of O’Donovan, who carded a second consecutive round of 66 for a 12-under total, with Nathan Barbieri one shot further back after a round of 67.

World number 45 Steph Kyriacou is in fourth place on 10-under as she matched yesterday’s 5-under par 67. After coming into the week with low expectations, the Sydneysider is now embracing the task at hand.

“I’m sure going into the weekend there will be a bit more nerves, but I’m looking forward to it,” said the 25-year-old. “I’m seeing a lot of things in my own game that I can improve or that are going well.

“I’m pretty good off the tee and I’ve been working on my wedges a bit this off season and I think I’m seeing more results there. I’m hitting it close and giving myself a lot of opportunities.”

Kyriacou is one of nine WPGA Tour of Australasia members inside the top 20 at Castle Hill, with Caitlin Peirce, who, like Watt, made a hole-in-one on Thursday, in sixth on 8-under.

Entry to Webex Players Series Sydney is free for spectators, with coverage from the final two rounds available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel.