He picked up four strokes in the last three holes of his third round for a five-under-par 67.

Scott, on 17-under-par 199, will take a five-stroke lead over his compatriot Scott Gardiner and Scotland's Raymond Russell into Sunday's final round.

Russell, who twice caught Scott when the Australian made early bogeys, enjoyed a run of five birdies in six holes around the turn.

Then Gardiner caught up with him by shooting five birdies over the last six holes.

European Ryder Cup captain Sam Torrance also had a big finish, his eagle and birdie at the last two holes ensured he held fourth place, two further strokes back.

Scott acknowledged that his blistering finish had given him some breathing space.

"Finishing like that makes it hard for the other guys, because they have a lot to think about tonight," he said.

"I just have to think about getting good rhythm tomorrow."

Maestro Muntz

Scott, after victories in South Africa and Qatar on the European Tour, is anxious for another win.

"It would definitely be a good step for me," he said. "It would help me believe that I can win anywhere.

"Maybe it would give me the confidence in the big ones over here on the European continent."

Dutchman Rolf Muntz, who lost a playoff for this title in 1999, shot 64 - the best round of the week.

Only a bogie at the par five 18th stopped him equalling Pierre Fulke's course record.

It would not have been an official mark, though, due to the preferred lies in operation caused by to the wet ground.

But it did take the lead in the race for the lowest round of the tournament, carrying a prize of a Rolex watch worth more than �3,000.