Jones has surprise lead

Australian Brendan Jones holds a one-shot lead after the third round of the BC Open.

A PGA Tour rookie who has missed the cut in seven of his 16 events this year, the 30-year-old Jones has been outstanding in the first three rounds here.

Jones enjoyed his third straight round in the 60s, carding a bogey-free six-under-par 66. He moved to 19-under 197 through 54 holes, one shot in front of a trio golfers.

Indian Arjun Atwal and Americans Jason Bohn and Ryan Palmer are each one stroke off the pace. Four golfers are two shots back and a total of 11 are within three strokes of the lead.

Jones got his third round at the 6,974-yard En-Joie Golf Club course off to a good start with three birdies on the front nine. He continued his consistency on the back nine, with a birdie at the par-four 11th and an eagle at the par-five 12th before closing his round with six pars.