QUEENSTOWN, New Zealand (AP) -- American Martin Piller shot a 4-under 68 on Saturday to top the crowded third-round leaderboard in the New Zealand Open.

Piller, the 23-year-old former Texas A&M player in his first season on the Nationwide Tour, had a 12-under 204 total on The Hills course.

Piller birdied Nos. 14, 15 and 17, but missed a makable birdie putt on 18.

"Overall it's been a great day and I can't be complaining about that," Piller said.

He enjoyed his late tee time.

"Whenever I'm playing early I get nervous that I am going to sleep through my alarm," Piller said.

New Zealand's Grant Waite (66) and Josh Geary (68) were a stroke back along with American Alex Prugh (69), Australia's Jason Norris (71) and Norway's Henrik Bjornstad (68) in the event sanctioned by the Australasian and Nationwide tours.

Americans Jim Herman (65), Drew Laning (69) and Jeff Gove (72) were 10 under along with Sweden's Jonas Blixt (67). Gove and Norris shared the second-round lead.

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