Australian Chris Downes made an eagle three on the 17th hole to take the outright lead after three rounds of the the New Zealand Open golf championship at the Middlemore.

Downes shot a three under-par 69 for a 206 total following his 67 and 70 for the first two rounds.

Downes had been joint leader overnight with fellow Australian Alan Patterson.

Mahal Pearce, two shots off the pace going into Saturday's third round, also shot a 69 to climb into second place, along with fellow New Zealander Gareth Paddison, who managed a 70.

Both were on 208, two shots behind the leader.

Michael Campbell was a further shot behind after returning with a third-round 67.

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