Mild-mannered Victorian David McKenzie showed his aggressive streak when he trampled his highly-credentialled rivals to lead going into the final round of the Australian Masters.

McKenzie, who has worked industriously on the secondary Nationwide golf tour in the US and was unlucky to miss a main tour card, plucked an eight under par 64 from a defenceless Huntingdale layout.

It left him 17 under the card and two shots ahead of former dual winner Brad Hughes, with defending champion Robert Allenby a shot back third.

Peter Lonard, the tour's hottest player, is four shots off the pace with Queenslander Brad Kennedy as he bids for a fourth straight victory.

McKenzie, 37, is chasing his first professional win and only just recently has reflected on the benefits of his job, rather than the frustrations.

"Probably the last six to 12 months I've realised how lucky you are to actually play this game for a living," McKenzie said.

"Just to appreciate it is the biggest thing I've found."

He believes a more realistic and balanced approach has helped improve his game.

"Not worrying so much about it and taking a little bit of a step back and not getting so involved emotionally in it, accepting that you're going to have really bad rounds and you're going to have really good rounds.

"As long as you don't get too up with the good ones and you don't get too down with the bad rounds then you're going to do okay."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP