"For me, I'm taking lines over trees just to hit the fairway or having to really flight shots down, which isn't normal for me."

Seven birdies is an important factor when trying to go low, but Croker also made some incredible up-and-downs to save par.

"They're the confidence ones, they keep things going," he said.

Even with his four-shot lead, Croker knows Campbell, a Yarra Yarra member and course record holder, will be hot on his tail and is excited for the challenge.

"It's going to be fun," he said.

"He's obviously going to feel pretty comfortable around the golf course and the shots that set up tomorrow.

"I'm going to have to probably bring my A-game to see if I can stay ahead of him after the 72."

Campbell himself also had an impressive day at his home club, with a 4-under 66 to climb a number of spots up the leaderboard.

The local holds the course record at Yarra, firing a 63 in the recent Sandbelt Invitational, and may need something close to that number tomorrow to catch Croker.

With Campbell solo second at 7-under, three players are tied third at 5-under, with Aussie pair Jordan Doull and Abel Eduard joined by American Noah Kent.

Kiwi Mitchell Kale, who was leading after two rounds, had a tough day in the wind but is still within reach at 3-under.