An even-par round at Gold Coast’s Royal Pines doesn’t sound like a huge achievement for the world’s No.2 golfer it has put Adam Scott in a solid position to win the Australian PGA Championship.

On another windswept day, Scott’s third-round even-par 71 was enough for him to head into the final day with a three-shot lead at 10-under.

The Masters champion, who hadn’t posted a single bogey on the opening two day’s play, suddenly found himself with a plus next to his round score for the first time at the par-four seventh.

A rare errant drive left him precariously close to a water hazard and the 33-year-old couldn’t save par from then on.

Another shock followed on the next hole when Scott again bogeyed a par-four and suddenly his two-shot clubhouse lead was gone.

Scott however showed his class on the back nine as rivals Rickie Fowler (71) and David McKenzie (72) faltered.

He picked up birdies on the par-five 12th and 15th to storm back into the lead and found himself holding a handy three-shot advantage over young American Fowler and Victorian McKenzie going into the last day.

“Great spot to be in obviously,” said Scott, who is looking to add the Joe Kirkwood Cup to last year’s Australian Masters and 2009 Australian Open successes.

“If you saw any of the round today you knew things weren’t going my way on the greens. I was a little out of position on the front-nine and it was hard to get it close, the couple of times I did I lipped out.

“I did well on the back nine to bring it back and shoot even.”

World No.43 Fowler will play alongside Scott in a dream pairing for promoters on Sunday after his three birdie, three bogey round.

McKenzie, a veteran with over two decades of tour experience, battled an allergic reaction which had his heart racing and left him dizzy on the tail-end of his round.

The 46-year-old still believes he’s in contention despite his one-over round.

“On the eighth tee I had an antihistamine and I was hoping like hell it wouldn’t get any worse,” McKenzie said.

“I really struggled on nine and 10.

“It’s only three shots. If you get off to a good start – I will be a few groups in front of those boys so you never know.

“If you post a number you never know what’s going to happen.”

Scott will also be wary of a chasing pack – including US PGA Tour player Marc Leishman (68) – that remains within striking distance of the leaders.

Queensland pair Michael Wright (68) and Steven Jeffress (71) are on six-under, while Leishman is one of five players sitting on five-under.

“It’s bunched up a little more probably,” Scott said.

“We’ll just have to see what tomorrow throws up. I’m just going to have to play good to win. You don’t often play poorly and win a tournament.

“If someone comes out firing I’ll have to maybe adjust the way I play as well.”