American Jordan Spieth and Australian’s Brett Rumford and Greg Chalmers lead the Emirates Australian Open following the third round played today.

On a challenging day in Sydney there were no great charges up the leaderboard, it was all about toughing it out on The Australian layout.

Overnight leader Greg Chalmers, held on through the back nine to get into the clubhouse at even par for the day and 5-under the card for the tournament.

Brett Rumford fired 2-under 69 as did Jordan Spieth thanks to a last minute birdie on the 18th.

They were two of only 13 players to shoot under the card in the third round.

"You feel as though you’re pedalling a million miles an hour going nowhere seemingly," said Rumford after his round.

"Mentally there’s some really tough holes that you’ve really got to grind out and make your pars."

"Then outside of that it’s just pretty much hang on and just try and hit the right shots and just try and play as smart as you can."

Spieth agreed that today’s round was a challenge but the Texan is hoping for more of the same in the final round.

"It was very challenging, that was a tough track today."

"They’re baked (the greens), they’re very shiny, they’ve firmed up significantly and then with this wind, there were putts that were lightning fast." 

"I almost prefer it, wind and a very difficult golf course, I feel like plays into my hands, so hopefully I can get out there tomorrow and give it my best stuff."

Seeming weary after his round, Chalmers is happy with his position heading into the final round.

"It was that kind of day – you just have to hang tough," said Chalmers.

"I was really struggling with my swing and I was fatigued coming down the stretch and I didn’t hit a lot of shots that I was proud of."

"After the start I had today and after how difficult the day was, to fight back and get back to a position where I’m tied for the lead with Rumford and Spieth, kind of excited about that."

Sitting just one shot off the lead at 4-under the card are Adam Scott and Rod Pampling.

They have a two shot advantage over Amateur Todd Sinnott, with Aron Price and Jake Higginbottom at 1-under the card.

After two rounds Daniel Nisbet made the cut on the number, today he fired the round of the day, 4-under 67 to be inside the top-10. Joining him are Ryan Fox, Josh Younger, David Bransdon and Robert Allenby.