Adam Scott of Australia hits out of the bunker on the third hole during day three of the Australian PGA Championship on the Gold Coast. Source: Getty Images

PGA co-leader Scott Strange of Australia lines up a putt on the 16th hole during day three. Source: Getty Images

Co-leader Wade Ormsby of Australia tees off on the 10th hole during day three. Source: Getty Images

Adam Scott of Australia lines up a putt on the 17th hole during day three. Source: Getty Images

Scott, looking to cap his year with victory at Royal Pines on Queensland’s Gold Coast, fired a three under par 69 in today’s third round to move alongside good mate Wade Ormsby (71) and Scott Strange (71) at the top of the PGA leaderboard.

American Boo Weekley (69) and Jason Scrivener (68) were a further shot back as the field bunched up during another day heavily affected by rain.

Scott, who has hosted Ormsby at his house on the Gold Coast this week, fired four birdies and one bogey as he edged closer to winning his first tournament of the Australian summer.

“It was good today to make up a couple of shots and at least get in a share for the lead and stay in the final group for tomorrow,” Scott said.

“But it’s a really bunched leaderboard and whoever has a good round tomorrow’s going to be able to do it. It’s a good course to post a number on, so the guys behind will certainly have that opportunity.

“But if I keep playing solid and give myself some chances, hopefully I’ll make a couple tomorrow.”

Asked what he needed to do to in the final round, the world No 3 said he was targeting a fast start.

“That’s the best thing I can do for so many reasons to give myself the advantage, whether it’s from a crowd cheering perspective and just the rhythm of the tournament perspective,” Scott said.

​”The winner ends up making putts, so I need to make a few tomorrow.”

Strange was in the ascendancy for much of the third round but late mistakes at the par three 14th and par four 17th cost him the lead.

Ormsby endured a day of mixed fortunes as he fired four birdies and three bogeys.

“Well we’ve known each other since we were probably 13 or 14 and grew up playing junior golf here,” Scott said of Ormsby.

“Just really happy for Wade coming off a rough couple of years on the course and … I can see the confidence in him. He’s playing well again this week.

“He’s played well the last few weeks and you can see what kind of effect that has on him. So I’m very happy for him.”

On a packed leaderboard, 11 players finished the third round within five shots of the lead including Kiwi Michael Hendry (67) and Jarrod Lyle (70). But Scott is the man they need to beat.

“Certainly I’ve got lots of experience to go off over my whole career,” Scott said.

“I’ve been in this position a lot. It’s worked out a lot of times and it hasn’t others, so I’ll try and do all the things I can to kind of give myself the advantage when I tee off tomorrow.”