Kim performs a charge at AMOTA
Grace Kim during round three of the Australian master of the amateurs.
& copy Anthony Powter
Grace Kim and Keita Nakajima took the respective leads to the final round of tomorrow of the Australian Master of the Amateurs in Royal Melbourne.
Kim, 18, distanced herself from the 48-woman field with three birdies in her first opening of 12 holes, but surrendered to the main part of that advantage by playing the last six holes four above par.
"I played well until the 13th," Kim said after the round.
"I placed myself in a bad position in the bunker and then made a few bogies to complete the round, but I am pretty proud of myself as I was in it."
Kim signed for a one-over-par 73 to retain a twofold advantage with a day to play and will be joined by NSW state official Steph Kyriacou and Victoria Julienne Soo in the last group, then duo carding matching three-over-over par 75s.
In the men's championship is a late wave of world champion number 1 Justin Suh for an exciting conclusion to the final round, with Keita Nakajima from Japan, Victorian Andrew Lautee and American Matthew Wolff.
Nakajima, who prepares to defend his # AusAm title next week, produced a stable two-under-par 70 to regain the lead and a two-shot buffer, but will feel the heat of the international load.
Suh, a senior at the University of Southern California, roared back into the mix after a nice six-under-par 66 had seen him prepare sixteen spots on the leaderboard.
Recently, Vic Am champion Lautee rounds off the last group after an impressive three-under-par nine backs him in an equal third move with Wolff on four bottom after 54-holes.
Canada & # 39; s Joey Savoie and NSW Open low amateur Blake Windred remain at striking distance, three shots returned from Nakajima after rounds of 71 and 70 respectively.
The final round of Friday starts at 07.30 and the last group starts at 13.40. Follow the scores here.