With his massive seven shot lead, it has given Shilton some breathing space to enable him to sleep well this evening knowing it will take something special to knock him off the top.
"Its nice to be way out in front and if things go wrong from here its not good signs, but its nice to have the buffer there and if I keep playing the way I am, I doubt they will catch me," he said with a nervous smile.
"Its up to me now, if Ben [Campbell] comes out and shoots eight or nine under and I shoot even par then I guess he could get me, but if I go out there and just keep doing what Im doing and keep plodding, I should be fine.
"If I play well, unless he shoots 55, he cant catch me."
Shilton is an experienced campaigner but its been a long seven years between victories for the 37-year-old.
"Its been a long time between drinks, I think at Akarana this year I came close, but I just havent got going in any of these events so its nice to get going, shoot some good numbers and try get it done tomorrow.
"If I were to win at home tomorrow, of course it would be special, but at the end of the day it doesnt matter what country its in, winning is winning and thats what were all here for. To have a good chance of that tomorrow is great, and hopefully winning these events will bring that winning feeling back."
Campbell leads the chasing pack who will have a mountain of work to do if they are to catch Shilton. Joining him in what seems to be a battle for second place is Hayden Beard and Mark Brown who will be searching for flags tomorrow in a last ditch effort to scare Shilton.
In the womens field, Rose Zheng has built on her first round lead to now be in full control of the Harewood Open after a two-under par, 70, which has given her a comfortable five shot lead and a tournament score of 10-under par.
With five birdies throughout the day, Zheng showed signs of repeating her first two rounds of four-under par, however three late bogeys put a halt to this. Entering the final round with this margin is something Zheng isnt quite used to.
"Its exciting to be leading after three rounds and its not a position I have been in very much, so I am just going to enjoy my day tomorrow and stick to what I have been doing," said Zheng.
Two time defending champion Chantelle Cassidy made some much needed progress today with a three-under, 69 which included an impressive eagle on the par four 17th. She has company in the form of Alanna Campbell in second place at five-under. The same three girls will fight it out in the final group tomorrow.
- This story has been automatically published using a media release from Golf NZ
