Senior skips clear of senior open field

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Peter Senior will take a four-shot lead into the final round of the NSW Senior Open after posting an even-par 72 in tricky conditions on the Victorian border at Albury.

With a strong southwesterly making life tough as the afternoon wore on, Senior grafted his way around the testing Thurgoona Country Club layout in conditions far removed from those he faced in his record-setting opening round of 61.

"I didn't play very well today," Senior said.

"I let a few easy ones slip around the front."

After getting off to a slow start, turning in even par, Senior battled through the back nine.

An uncharacteristic bogey on the reachable par five 11th hole brought him back to the chasing pack.

"The back nine was difficult. It got really, really windy," he said.

"It was hard to pick clubs and the greens were a lot firmer. It was difficult to work out how far they were going to bounce."

With opportunities slipping by and putts going close but not in, Senior finally got one back on 17th to regain momentum.

"It really helped me out," he said of the 35-foot birdie putt.

Chasing Senior is a leaderboard full of players capable of making up the four-shot deficit.

Kiwi Michael Long, who carded a 67, sits in second place at seven under, while Mike Harwood is another shot away in third.

Peter Lonard, Glenn Joyner and Richard Blackwell are seven back at four under but not without a chance if things go their way.

Regardless of the quality of the field, Senior was happy with the lead and confident he would get the job done on Sunday.

"I'm happy where I am. The guys have got to chase me and I will put in a good shot tomorrow," he smiled.

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