Mexican Ancer leads Australian Open
Mexican ace Abraham Ancer has seized the outright lead midway through the third round of the Australian Open in Sydney.
Ancer has negotiated the front nine at The Lakes in four-under par to be 10 under for the championship and one stroke clear of fellow US PGA Tour star Keegan Bradley.
After dropping a shot on the second hole, Ancer reeled off four straight birdies from the sixth to burst from a packed and ever-changing leaderboard on Saturday.
No fewer than eight different players have enjoyed a taste of the lead on moving day.
Bradley picked up three shots on the front nine to be nine under, one ahead of overnight leaders Max Mccardle and Byeong Hun An.
Japanese amateur Keita Nakajima and local hopes Dimitrios Papadatos and Jake McLeod were a further shot back at seven under early in their back nines, with Marcus Fraser and American drawcard Matt Kuchar at six under.
The day has not been without drama either.
McLeod could well pick up a shot after his round after being penalised one stroke for waiting too long for his birdie putt to drop on the par-4 fourth hole.
Officials deemed that McLeod waited 15 seconds for the ball to drop into the cup, when players are only permitted 10 seconds.
The winner of last week's NSW Open, McLeod remonstrated with officials after being penalised - and thus taking a par - claiming the ball was still moving.
Open officials say they will discuss the incident with the 24-year-old at the completion of his round before making a final assessment.
Defending champion Cameron Davis has signed off for a third-round 68 to be at three-under par overall, seven adrift of the on-course leader, while pre-tournament favourite Cameron Smith is one under after a 70 on Saturday.
