Harold Varner III took a slender one shot advantage into the back nine of the Australian PGA Championship as the American chased a maiden professional victory.
Having already graduated from the Web.com tour to the US PGA Tour in 2015, the big-hitting 26 year old turned in a two over 38 but still found himself in control with nine holes to play.
That was because overnight co-leaders Dylan Frittelli and Zander Lombard had also struggled in more difficult scoring conditions at RAC Royal Pines Resort.
At one under, Varner III was the only player under par for the tournament and one ahead of home favourites Cameron Smith and Nathan Homan.
Bogeys at the second and third were Varner III’s only deviations from par on the way out, while at one under through 11 holes Smith – who finished fourth in the US Open Championship – was one of a handful of players under par for the day.
Holman was one over through ten, having overcome a double bogey at the first with a birdie at the ninth.
South African pair Frittelli and Lombard were both four over for the day, through nine and ten holes respectively, but despite that were still only two off the pace as they sought a first European Tour win.
