Bo Van Pelt doubled his overnight advantage over Lake Karrinyup’s opening stretch as the final round of the ISPS HANDA Perth International began.
The 37 year old American led compatriot Jason Dufner by one after holing a 60 foot birdie putt at the 18th on day three.
On resuming Van Pelt birdied the first and third and as a result was two clear of Dufner and Emiliano Grillo.
Dufner also picked up a shot at the long third, while Argentine 20 year old Grillo – the leader for most of the third round – birdied the third and fourth.
Good scores were clearly there to be had, as England’s Steve Webster demonstrated with his 66.
That lifted him 30 places into the top ten and, having started the week 100th on The Race to Dubai, was likely to all but secure his card for 2013.
Van Pelt picked up a third shot of the day at the seventh, turned without a bogey and then started for home with another birdie at the tenth to reach 16 under.
He was still only two ahead, however, as Dufner mixed three birdies and a bogey from the seventh.
Grillo dropped shots at the seventh and eighth, but while his title challenge appeared to be fading, he was almost certain to keep his card if he could remain in the top three.
