Queenslander Cassie Porter made six birdies in a brilliant 67 to seize the lead and raise hopes of an home-grown winner in the women’s section of the Australian Master of the Amateurs at Victoria today.

Porter, 17, a Queensland state team member who plays out of Peregian Beach, recovered from her disappointing second-round 75 to leap into the outright lead when she made birdies at both the closing par-fives at Victoria, the 17th and 18th.

“Obviously it’s great to finish like that,’’ she said. “It’s a good confidence-booster for tomorrow. The conditions seem to be a bit tougher tomorrow but looking forward to playing a nice round tomorrow.’’

Porter is at five-under overall and leads by two shots from Malaysian player Alyaa Abdulghany at three-under. First-round leader Min A Yoon of South Korea is at two-under while two Australians – Grace Kim and Stephanie Kyriacou, last year’s winner – are still in the running at one-under.

Porter, who recently won the Victorian Open Junior and a previous winner of the Greg Norman Junior Masters, said she would not change her method in tomorrow’s final round. “Stick to my processes. It’s worked for the last three days – or not properly on the second day – but stick to processes and whatever the outcome I’ll take it.’’

American player Sahith Theegala is dominating the men’s section, entering the final round with a five-shot lead at 13-under par after rounds of 66-68-69.

The Pepperdine University student will however have to hold off a pair of South Australians – Jack Thompson and Jack Buchanan – who are at eight-under par.

Tomorrow’s final round is at 7.15 am at Victoria.

LEADERBOARDS