Scott carded four birdies and a bogey in his three-under-par 69, picking up shots at the third, ninth, 12th and 15th holes, but dropping a shot at the sixth.

Ormsby recorded four birdies but his round was hampered when he bogeyed the fourth, ninth and 11th holes for a one-under par round of 71.

Strange joined Orsmby in carding a 71 for the day, also with four birdies and three bogeys, as he picked up shots at the sixth, ninth, 12th and 15th, but dropped shots at the first, 14th and 17th.

Jason Scrivener trails his Australian countrymen by a shot after recording a 68, and he is joined on nine under by American Boo Weekley, who carded a four-under-par 68.

New Zealander Michael Hendry signed for a 67 to record the best round of the day courtesy of five birdies.

The Aucklander is sixth, two shots off the pace, with fellow Kiwi David Smail two shots back on six-under alongside American Scott Stallings.

Reigning champion Scott was pleased to make up ground on Strange and Ormsby and hopes to be in the mix once again on Sunday as he attempts to retain his title at Royal Pines on the Gold Coast.

"It was good today to make up a couple of shots and at least get in a share for the lead and stay in the final group for tomorrow," Scott said in a press conference aired on the PGA Australia website.

"But it's a really bunched leaderboard and whoever has a good round tomorrow is going to be able to do it.

"It's a good course to post a number on so the guys behind will certainly have that opportunity, but if I keep playing solid and give myself some chances hopefully I'll make a couple tomorrow."