Reigning champion Shane Gurnett is tied for first place with Bacchus Marsh-based Rod Keane on 530 shots after 54 holes.

Gurnett has shot a consistent 76, 77, 77 over the first three rounds, while Keane rocketed from 11th to first after a two-under-par 70 second round last Saturday.

Gurnett clawed back to level pegging, going one shot better than Keane’s 78 on Sunday.

Hot on the heats of the pair is teenage rising star Noah Best, who shot rounds of 73 and 78 on the weekend to climb to third spot, three shots behind the leaders, while Chris Dunn is another shot back in fourth.

Keane, who is contesting the A grade championship for just the second time, said “a few putts dropped at the right time” to help him charge up the field.

“I probably missed a couple of putts I should’ve got, but had a few drop in that were a surprise,” he said.

“I got up and down really well from seventh (hole) in a bunker, got a good putt on eight. I played a great shot on nine and birdied on 11, which really got me in.

“I’m just happy to be playing at the level of Chris Dunn, Shane Gurnett and young Noah Best – Noah’s going to beat us all in the future.”

Gurnett, who is chasing his second title at Port Fairy, said he was “reasonably happy” with his performance so far.

“I probably could’ve scored a little better in each round, but there’s a lot of pressure in club championships,” he said.

“There’s not much in it – there’s still Noah and Chris Dunn who can win it.”

Rob Bevan is leading the B grade field, three shots clear of Ray Mathews, while Adrian Crosier is comfortably leading the C grade.