MELBOURNE, Australia -- England's Justin Rose, winless in four years, shot a 4-under-par 68 Saturday to take a two-stroke lead after three rounds of the Australian Masters at Huntingdale.

Rose, who trailed second-round leader Aaron Pike of Australia by two strokes going into the third round, has a 13-under par total of 203.

Raphael Jacquelin of France (67), former Australian Open champion Greg Chalmers (68) and Pike, a 21-year-old amateur who shot 72 Saturday, are tied for second at 11-under 205. Pike led after each of the first two rounds and equaled the course record of 64 on Thursday.

Three golfers are tied for fifth at 8-under 208, five strokes back - England's Paul Casey (67), Sweden's Carl Suneson (69) and Australian Peter Lonard (69).

Rose won four tournaments in 2002 but has no victories since, although he finished 47th on the PGA TOUR money list this year with five top-10 finishes.

"It would mean a lot for sure," Rose said of a win here. "It would be like a little icing on the cake really for the way I've finished the year off."

"Before this week I felt like, win or not, the confidence l've gained from putting myself in contention a lot was going to help me for next year. And hopefully have a breakthrough year next year."

Pike had a bad start when he gave away his two-shot lead with a double-bogey six on the first hole.

But he settled down and eventually made a birdie-birdie finish to remain within striking distance of Rose.

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