Christchurch, New Zealand (My Sportsbook) - American Steve Friesen shot a three-under 69 on Saturday to move atop the leaderboard after the third round of the New Zealand PGA Championship.

Friesen finished 54 holes at 11-under 205 and is one clear at Clearwater Country Club.

Kurt Barnes, who held at least a piece of the lead after the first two rounds, only managed a one-under 71 in round three. He is tied for second place with fellow Aussie Steve Alker, who fired a 67 on Saturday, at minus-10.

Reigning U.S. Amateur Champion Danny Lee, who, at 18, became the youngest winner in European Tour history last month at the Johnnie Walker Classic, posted a three-under 69 and moved into a tie for fourth place.

Stephen Dartnall (68), David Smail (68), Ryan Hietala (69) and Craig Bowden (70) joined Lee at nine-under 207.

Friesen flew out of the gate on Saturday with three consecutive birdies. He added a fourth at the par-five fifth and suddenly found himself at 12-under par.

"It was good to get off to that start," said Friesen, a Nebraska native. "It settles you down a bit when you see the ball going into the hole."

Friesen bogeyed his very next hole, the sixth, then parred his next four around the turn. He birdied the par-three 11th to get back to 12-under par, but didn't stay there long.

He bogeyed the 13th hole, but atoned for the error with a birdie at the par- five 14th. Friesen was two ahead of Alker, but a bogey at No. 17 dropped his cushion to one.

Barnes birdied two of his last three to get into second place.

David McKenzie (67), Brian Stuard (70), Scott Hend (70), Jason Norris (70) and Josh Geary (71) are tied for ninth place at minus-eight.

The two men who shared the overnight lead with Barnes struggled on Saturday.

Gareth Paddison mixed three birdies, three bogeys and a double-bogey for a round of two-over 74. He fell into a tie for 14th place at seven-under-par 209.

Josh Teater had six bogeys and three birdies for a 75 and dropped into a share of 22nd at minus-six.