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Australian Marc Leishman still in the hunt at Sony Open golf tournament in Hawaii

The West Australian
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Marc Leishman follows his shot from the 11th tee at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu.
Camera IconMarc Leishman follows his shot from the 11th tee at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu. Credit: Jamm Aquino/AP

Aussie Marc Leishman has earned an outside shot at victory after shooting a second successive five-under-par 65 in the US PGA Tour’s Sony Open in Hawaii.

The Australian had five birdies in an unblemished third round on Saturday, reaching 14 under, and he will go into the final round tied eighth, four shots behind American leader Brendan Steele.

Steele shot a nine-birdie 61 in unusually calm conditions at Waialae Country Club to grab a two-shot lead from countryman Kevin Na, who also shot 61, and Chile’s Joaquin Niemann (63).

Leishman is one of five players tied eighth, one shot behind Americans Peter Malnati, Charley Hoffman, Russell Henley and Chris Kirk.

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“It’s a really bunched leaderboard,” said Leishman. “I am going to have to go low.

“I can’t see Steeley shooting -- well, I’ll have to shoot 65 or less to have any sort of chance.

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“Go out and attack and try to make all the putts where I give myself an opportunity and see where it leaves us.”

Fellow Australian Aaron Baddeley continued his good tournament with a 65 to be one shot behind Leishman and five from the lead.

Australia’s defending champion Cameron Smith had a 68 but is too far back to contend at nine under and tied 39th while Adam Scott (70) is a further two shots back.

Steele has reason to still be smarting from last year. He had the tournament all but won until a series of errors over the last three holes he played to lose in a playoff to Smith.

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