Scott keeps Poulter company

Last updated: 17th November 2012

Ian Poulter fired an eight-under-par 64 to move to the top of the Australian Open leaderboard, but Adam Scott is right on his heels.

Englishman Poulter was five shots behind Matthew Guyatt of Australia at the start of the third round, but he quickly wiped that deficit out as he was six-under for the day through 10 holes.

He picked up three more birdies while a bogey at the 16th hole was the only blemish on his scorecard.

Poulter and Scott (67) were playing in the penultimate group of the day and they fired 17 birdies between them.

"We have a few shots on the field but we can't go at it as if it's match play," Poulter said.

"It might be a little different if we are still in front coming down the stretch but anyone back in the field is capable of shooting a low number on this golf course."

Scott added. "I'm not going to start worrying about Ian. You only worry about that coming down the stretch. There's a low score (for anyone) out there if you play well."

The Australian, who also dropped a shot at 16, looked set to tie Poulter for the overnight lead heading into the final hole, but he had to settle for a second bogey on the 17th.

"I've done that before. I need to eliminate any mistakes tomorrow," said Scott, who is looking for his first win of the 2012 season.

Guyatt didn't have the best of days as a 75 means he is six shots off the pace at Melbourne's Kingston Heath, while New Zealander Mark Brown is a further shot back.