Allenby and Nitties share the lead

SYDNEY, Australia -- Robert Allenby and James Nitties go into the final round of the Australian Open sharing a one-stroke lead after shooting three-under-par 69 in round three at The Australian club in Sydney.

Nitties quickly recovered after dropping a stroke at the first hole.

Their aggregate score of 10-under 206 left them ahead of fellow Australian Stuart Appleby, who went round in 68.

A further stroke behind were Craig Parry and Nick O'Hern.

Twice-champion Aaron Baddeley was at six-under.

Nitties quickly overcame a bad start. After seeing a shot slip away at his first hole he did not give another away during the rest of the round.

Allenby, seeking his third win in the tournament, birdied the 18th to restore a shot dropped three holes earlier.

"I really did hit some unbelievable shots out there because it was very tricky," he told reporters. E-mail to a friend