Tataurangi eyes Arizona win

New Zealand golfer Phil Tataurangi is threatening to make his first pay cheque since March a sizeable one.

Tataurangi enters the fourth and final round of the Fort Smith Classic in the United States tomorrow in a three-way share of second place, two shots shy of the leader, American Chris Tidland.

He began the $US550,000 ($NZ874,540) Nationwide Tour event in boiling hot form, an eight-under-par 62 thrusting him atop the leaderboard.

Tataurangi followed that up with rounds of 71 and 66 to be on 11-under 199 after 54 holes alongside American Justin Bolli and Australian Gavin Coles.

He threatened to go subterranean low today after he birdied six of his opening seven holes but three bogeys followed before Tataurangi signed off with a birdie three at the 18th.

Another New Zealander, Brad Iles, shot 67 today to be handily placed in a tie for 24th on 206.