Brandt Snedeker is one step closer to following in the
footsteps of Ryder Cup team mate and 2015 Fiji International Champion Matt
Kuchar as he takes a three shot lead into the final round of the 2016 Fiji
International.

Starting round three one shot off the lead, Snedeker made
his presence known on a challenging day where his experience shone through.

"It was it was a tough day. It was also a day where you want
to go real low," said Snedeker.

"Starting the day out I was trying to shoot a couple under
par.  I did a great job of hanging in
there."

Snedeker fired 2-under 70 as the ubiquitous winds synonymous
with Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course impacted the entire field.

"With conditions as tough as they are and with a lot of big
numbers out there, there could possibly be a weight on you," added Snedeker.

"I did a good job of hanging in there and giving myself a
chance.  Going in there tomorrow I’ve got
to go in and finish it off."

"A three shot lead doesn’t really matter, with wind like
this is, it’s one hole." 

While Snedeker was a part of the winning Ryder Cup team last
week, tomorrow he chases his first win since the Farmers Insurance Open in
February.

"I had a couple of chances late in the year, I’m going to
count the Ryder Cup as a win, but my first one since February," added Snedeker,
who won at Torrey Pines in terrible conditions.

"Today reminded me of the win. Besides the fact that it’s
actually warm and it’s not raining, it’s pretty similar wind wise."

"I definitely draw on that a lot.  When I get tough conditions I know I can do
it as I’ve done it before."

"I pulled some shots out of the memory bank that I hit there
that were important today and I’m sure I’ll pull them out again tomorrow."

Playing alongside Snedeker were Anthony Houston and second
round leader Matthew Giles.

Snedeker sang the praises of the young player’s
determination and ability to hold on during the harsh day.

"Today was going to be a tough day for them, I knew it.  There’s a lot of pressure on those guys to
perform and their careers are riding on how they are playing right now," added
Snedeker. 

"They went out there and did a great job of staying patient
and kind of hanging in there and I was really impressed."

"It could have gone south on them pretty quickly and I look
forward to seeing them again tomorrow."

Despite shooting 1-over today, Houston was also pleased with
his mental approach on course, continuing to grind rather than let the day
defeat him.

"I was struggling mid-round. In the past I would give it
away and drop a few more shots but I really hung in there," said Houston, who
won the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia Qualifying School in January.

"You never want to lose it and just give up when you’re
playing with such a good person like Brandt."

"I’m sure he’s been where I was before and did the right
things so I want to do the right things too."

Despite the taxing golf, Houston relished the opportunity to
play alongside Snedeker, saying the World Number 23 made him feel very relaxed
on course.

"He’s an awesome guy. I didn’t even have to talk to him a
lot, he would talk to me. He’s just such a genuine guy for such a superstar,"
added Houston.

"Brandt doesn’t make you feel like you’re playing with
someone so good because he’s just so nice and he almost keeps you relaxed as
well."

Tomorrow Houston will play with Snedeker again but the
pressure will be even more enhanced.  He will
be chasing a win in the hopes that he will join his best mate and Australian
PGA Champion Nathan Holman on the European Tour.

"I would be lying if I said I didn’t know what was up for
grabs at the end of this," added Houston.  

"Nathan and I have been best mates since we were 12, coming
through the same golf club. I know I can play as good as him (Nathan Holman) on
his day but his bad days are just more consistent."

"So I’ve just got to make mine the same and I think that’s
just what I did today."  

 At 8-under the card
Matthew Giles is outright third after shooting 3-over the card in round three.

New Zealanders Michael Hendry and Gareth Paddison round out
the top-5 on 7-under the card.

The final round of the Fiji International tees off at 8am
with the final group of Matthew Giles, Anthony Houston and Brandt Snedeker are on
course at 10am.