New South Welshman Adam Stephens has consolidated his lead after the third round of the South Pacific Open Championship in New Caledonia.

Starting the day with a two shot lead, Stephens played steady golf to shot 3-under 68 to be 14-under the card after three rounds.

He leads by five shots from Michael Wright who had a third round of 1-under the card and Kota Kagasaki who fired the round of the day with a 6-under 65.

Stephens round was ignited by an eagle on the par-5 13th followed by a birdie on the next hole.

"I was hitting it pretty close early but kept missing putts from within 10 feet. I wasn’t reading the greens as well today as I did in the first two rounds," said Stephens.

"But then I got a really nice run with the eagle and birdie on 13 and 14."

Not overawed by the task at hand, a win tomorrow would present many opportunities for the 26-year-old including a two year exemption on to the PGA Tour of Australasia and starts in Australia’s biggest tournaments.

"A two year exemption on to the Tour would be nice, but I don’t want to jump too far ahead of myself, I still have to get through the first tee shot tomorrow."

"At the end of the day it’s just another round of golf but whatever I shoot tomorrow I will be trying to give every shot 100%."

Despite heading into the final round five shots off the lead Wright believes he is a strong contender to take out the title tomorrow.

"It seems to be the way, that in the first two rounds everyone shoots low numbers then holds back on the weekend, it must be the pressure," said Wright who is surprised that 1-under the card in the third round is enough to have him in contention.

"I am hungry for it, this is a course when you can run down a lead, there are so many birdie opportunities. There are a few eagle opportunities too."

"While it’s great for Adam to be five shots ahead I will be going out trying to make as many birdies as possible tomorrow."

Wright heads into the final round with plenty of positive experiences at the South Pacific Open Championship, he finished runner-up after a five hole playoff last year.

"Experience will help me with the pressure tomorrow but I still need to strive to strike the ball well," added Wright.

"I would take a five shot lead any day but if I can keep my nerve and feel comfortable within myself then I will play well."

Sitting a shot further back of Wright and Kagasaki and rounding out the top-5 on 8-under the card are Matthew Guyatt and Daniel Valente.

The final round of the South Pacific Open Championship will tee off tomorrow at 7.35am with the lead group of Adam Stephens, Michael Wright and Kota Kagasaki on course at 10.45am.