Saskatoon, SK (Sports Network) - Joe Panzeri posted a three-under 69 on Saturday to move atop the leaderboard after the third round of the Dakota Dunes Open.

Panzeri, a Canadian Tour rookie, finished 54 holes at 13-under 203 and is two strokes ahead at Dakota Dunes Golf Links.

Hugo Leon, who won last week's ATB Financial Classic and is second on the tour's money list, bogeyed the last hole Saturday for a two-under 70. He is alone in second at 11-under 205.

Craig Leslie (68), Jae An (70), Dodge Kemmer (70) and Jon McLean (72) share third place at minus-10.

Panzeri played brilliantly on the front nine Saturday. He broke into red figures with a birdie at the par-five second, then rattled off back-to-back birdies at Nos. 7 and 8.

The birdie at eight got Panzeri to 13-under par and he stayed at that number until the 13th. He bogeyed the hole, a hole he birdied in Friday's second round, but atoned for the error with a birdie at the 14th, a hole he's now birdied in each of the three rounds.

Panzeri was back in front at 13-under par and he stayed there thanks to four closing pars. Leon got within one after a birdie at the par-five 16th, but his hiccup at 18 gave Panzeri a two-shot cushion.

"I focused on each shot," said Panzeri. "I've been feeling more comfortable as of late. It's been a lot of fun."

Panzeri has never won in his rookie year on tour and his best finish was a tie for 17th at The Western Championship earlier this month.

Danny Sahl (68), Lucas Lee (73) and Liam Kendregan (76) share seventh at minus-seven.

NOTES: Kendregan was in the final threesome on Saturday and it was one to forget for the trio...Jose de Jesus Rodriguez, the leading money winner this season on the Canadian Tour, shot a five-over 77 and fell into a tie for 14th place at five-under-par 211...Second-round leader Joel Dahmen struggled to a nine-over 81 and sunk into a share of 23rd at minus-three...The final group was a combined 18-over par on Saturday.

07/09 20:28:13 ET