Rumford sizzles in Perth course's rain Brett Rumford of Australia plays out of the bunker on the ninth hole during day three of the Perth International golf tournament at Lake Karrinyup Country Club Source: Getty Images BRETT Rumford was singing in the rain after charging up the leaderboard at the $US2 million Perth International golf tournament at Lake Karrinyup yesterday. Battling heavy winds and persistent showers, the Australian shot a seven-under 65 to be just one stroke adrift of West Australian leader Brody Ninyette heading into the fourth and final round. If not for a three-putt on his final hole, Rumford would have broken the course record set by Michael Hendry and Alejandro Canizares last year. But even that late slip-up couldn't wipe the smile off Rumford's face as he eyes off his third European Tour title of the year. In May, Rumford became the first Australian in 41 years to win back-to-back European Tour titles when he followed up his triumph in South Korea with victory at the China Open. Rumford said a win at the Perth International would be the cream on the cake. "Winning in front of your home crowd - there would be nothing better than that," he said. Obviously it's massive just to have won back to back this year. You win a couple of times and you think,'let's go out and do it again. But it doesn't quite happen that way and you realise how hard it is to win out here. There's so many great players, and the last nine holes of any championship can just swing so quickly, But I've got myself in position to win. I'll be working hard and that's what I'll be focusing on for the next 24 hours. Rumford was in danger of missing the cut when he moved to three-over on Friday. But four birdies in the space of five holes on the back nine saved his skin, before some magic golf yesterday put him right in the mix for victory. Ninyette, who is WA's first professional indigenous golfer, followed up Friday's 69 with a five-under 67 to move to eight under. The 26-year-old world No.1019 said his good friend and caddy Ric Edwards had given him invaluable advice about how best to tackle the course. "He's been a member here for most of his junior golf career," Ninyette said. He reads the greens well and knows the course well. Overnight leader Peter Hedblom, who needs to win the tournament in order to keep his European Tour card, fell four shots off the pace after a three-over 75. World No. 21 Dustin Johnson needs to produce a miracle round today after falling 10 shots off the pace, but defending champion Bo Van Pelt is still in the hunt at four under. Denmark's JB Hansen and South Korea's Jin Jeong joined Rumford at seven under on a crowded leaderboard. Australian Rohan Blizard enjoyed a memorable moment with a hole-in-one at the par-three 17th. But countryman David McKenzie had even more reason to celebrate after his hole-in-one on the par-three eighth won him a car. "The ball actually didn't go where I was aiming, but it worked out all right," McKenzie said.