Ogilvy 64! Emirates Australian Open Primed For Exciting Finish

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Geoff Ogilvy's third round 64 gives him a two stroke advantage over an intriguing group of pursuers two back, including Jordan Spieth and Aaron Baddeley. Adam Scott lurks four back. And remember, the top three not already in The Open earn a spot at Royal Birkdale as part of the Open Qualifying Series.

Ogilvy, the 2010 champion, seeks to join elite company as a two-time winner of his home nation's championship. Martin Blake reports that Ogilvy's game has been coming around, especially on the greens.

Something has clicked for Ogilvy recently, after he needed to activate a career-earnings exemption to play the current season on the US PGA Tour. "It's just getting out of my head and not thinking about it too much,'' he said. "Just rolling the ball like I used to. It's been coming. I'm not shocked that they all went in, it's just pleasant.''

Mike Clayton takes an interesting look at Ogilvy's career crossroads.

This season he takes his one ‘get out of jail free card’ in America by using his career money list exemption allowing him to play the last part of this year and all of next season. If he were to miss the top 125 again the only resort is to plead for sponsors invitations and no one wants to be at the mercy of tournament directors for a start each week.

A few weeks ago he was 4th in Las Vegas and he made a big pile of money, probably a quarter of what he needs to in order to keep his card.

For anyone who watched him play this third day at Royal Sydney the pessimism seems silly. He was around in 64, made by beginning with two birdies and then saving pars after marginally errant shots at the next two holes. From there it was a ball-striking clinic with the final two birdies, coming after a run of pars from the turn, with a two putt at the par 5 16th and a wedge to a foot at the last.

Spieth is looking for a reprise of his win at the Australian Open last year in 2014, writes Mark Hayes.

Since this is where Baddeley won as an amateur, it's worth keeping an eye on several who Australia's fearless group of emerging young pros and amateurs, highlighted by U.S. Junior Amateur winner Min Woo Lee, writes John Huggan.

Golf Channel coverage in the U.S. starts at 9 pm ET.

Third round highlights: