Halfway leader Carl Yuan had Michael Hendry, Anthony Quayle and Wade Ormsby for company at the top of the leaderboard as he reached the turn on day three of the Australian PGA Championship.
China's Yuan began the day with a narrow one-shot lead after producing a stunning 65 on Friday but he saw his advantage wiped out after a front nine 36 which contained one birdie and a single bogey.
New Zealander Hendry made birdies on the second, seventh and eighth holes to join Yuan at the summit on nine under par, while Ormsby picked up two birdies and Quayle made a single gain, with all three keeping their cards clean after nine holes.
Early clubhouse leader Nick Flanagan was a single shot back on eight under after tying the men's course record at RACV Royal Pines Resort with a sparkling 63 in excellent scoring conditions.
Fellow early starter Alejandro Cañizares was among the large group on seven under after his 64.
After settling any early nerves with a solid par save at the first, overnight leader Yuan made a good up-and-down from the bunker on the short second to remain at nine under.
He narrowly missed his lengthy birdie putt on the third but eventually made his first gain of the day from five feet on the sixth to move to ten under.
After opting not to go for the green at the short par-four eighth, Yuan missed his five foot par putt to slip back into a tie for the lead.
He almost rolled in from 30 feet at the ninth but his fine effort hit the hole and did not drop.
Ormsby, who has one European Tour title to his name, was rewarded for a marvellous tee shot at the short fifth with a close range birdie and he took advantage of the long ninth for the third day in succession to join the leaders.
