Canberra-based professional Matt Millar set himself for the biggest prize in his brief career when he swept to the top of the leaderboard in the Queensland Open at Ipswich Golf Club.

Using the benefit of previous experience playing in strong winds, the diminutive Millar, 27, defied gusty 40-knot winds to return a four-under-par 68 for a 54-hole total of 14 under.

Despite admitting to some loose shots as the wind took its toll on the closing holes, Millar said he was happy to be sharing the honours with overnight leader, Euan Walters from Melbourne.

Walters, who started and finished the day at 14 under, almost threw away the lead with loose shots on both the 14th and 17th holes but showed his fighting grit by grabbing a birdie on the closing hole.

Millar had troubles with the par three 15th for the third day in a row but used the following wind to carve out an easy birdie on the last.

The Belconnen-trained Millar said he was hoping to improve his ranking of 15 on the Von Nida Tour and to take a strong finish in the Open into the Queensland PGA next week.

In a day when the Queensland based players struggled with the windy conditions, 27-year-old Michael Light from the Woodlands club in Melbourne shot a steady three-under par 69 to move to equal third.

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