Te Anau golfer David Klein made the most of beautiful conditions on moving day to claim the third round lead at the Taranaki Energy Open on the Charles Tour.

The 21-year-old, who began the day two shots back from overnight leader Joshua Carmichael, carded a superb six under 66 at the New Plymouth Golf Club.

He holds a one shot lead from Auckland professional Ryan Fox (68) and Jared Pender (68) of Tauranga, with Jim Cusdin (68) back in fourth place.

Klein, who has been training to be a helicopter pilot around his golfing career, has contended a number of Charles Tour events and is hoping for a breakthrough win tomorrow.

"I hit it pretty good today," he said. "I hit 17 greens and I had three eagle putts, but on the back nine my putting let me down a bit. Overall, though, I am happy.

"To get to 10 under is a good three round total and I feel like I am playing well enough to win. It would be nice to win a Charles Tour title after a few years of trying."

Fox was just pleased to be in contention after a horror start where he was five over through eight holes in round one. Today, he made an eagle, five birdies and three bogeys in an eventful round to finish one back.

"I am pretty happy, especially after being so far behind after eight holes in the first round," the 24-year-old said. "I have given myself a chance tomorrow and it should be fun."

Defending champion Carmichael, who is looking to become the first male player to win a Charles Tour back-to-back since Doug Holloway in 2008, is four shots back.

"It was just one of those days where I couldn't make a putt," the 30-year-old said. "I hit the ball pretty well and apart from one silly mistake on seven where I hit a tree trying to chip out I was pretty solid."

In the women's division, defending champion Emily Perry will take a 10 shot lead into the final round after a four under par 68 in round three.

"It felt a lot better," the 21-year-old Lochiel amateur said. "The greens were a lot faster, I putted a lot better and had a few good birdies and an eagle at the last."

The New Zealand stroke play champion was pleased to turn around her form after two trying rounds in the wind.

"It was very frustrating, the past two days. I was a lot better today on the greens and that helped a lot. I've heard the wind is supposed to drop tomorrow which would be good because that definitely helped today."

- APNZ