Poker-playing rookie James Nitties' gamble on a shot into Coolum's water-laced 18th green made a bold statement to his rivals in the $1 million Australian PGA Championship.

After an absorbing tussle with lean Texan Bob Estes, Nitties calmly sunk his one-metre uphill birdie and walked off the final green with a one shot lead at 14 under and a psychological edge for Sunday.

Nitties hit the perfect eight-iron into the 18th green and for a change the pressure was on Estes who over-cooked his approach and three putted.

"I'm happy with the last hole, it changed the whole outlook for tomorrow," said Nitties.

Estes missed his short putt to save par for a share of the lead and later suggested Nitties had been on the verge of destructing during his round.

Nitties' last hole birdie though was clearly a mental victory for the 22-year-old Novacastrian who'll partner Estes again in the final round on Sunday.

Estes applied the heat to Nitties all day, his radar-like tee shots monotonously splitting the fairways.

But the one-month old professional and former top amateur, playing only his fourth tournament in the play-for-pay ranks, stood up to the pressure exceptionally and came out on top when it counted.

Estes wasn't happy with his round of 70 describing it as "the most frustrating of his life".

"I'm so frustrated I'm about to explode right now, but I'll get over it," he said.

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