Corey Lamb is within touching distance of living out a dream, but he wants to delay it just one more day, please.

Lamb, 23, missed a birdie chance on the last hole today at Murray Downs that would have pushed him into the final group for the third round of the Ford New South Wales Open.

So when he tapped in for a fine 67 to back up his opening 66, his nine-under total left him one shy of a berth in the glamour group alongside Cam Smith and halfway leader Lucas Herbert.

“Brango Boy” (Branxton) Lamb ceded that opportunity to Kiwi Josh Geary, instead falling into the penultimate Saturday group with Matias Sanchez and Dillon Hart.

But perhaps surprisingly for the popular Cypress Lakes member, he was happy to avoid the chaos of a date with the marquee leaders.

“I sort of had a feeling that (the final hole birdie) was about the number I had to get to (to be in with them,” Lamb said.

“But I’m probably happy I’m not playing with them, to be honest.

“I can just sit behind them and try and get in front of them.

“I mean, I would like to play with them, but Sunday’s better. I’ll play with them on Sunday and (launch) a surprise attack.”

Lamb, “Chops” to his mates, is a former NSW Junior champ, but lists his two runner-up finishes in the TPS Series events at Willunga as his best professional achievements to date.

But he’s making big strides, even if they’ve been off Broadway to date.

“I actually hit the ball really well today,” he said.

“Got up and down a couple of times, which were good saves.

“I was sort of in rough spots, and then just hit the ball really solid and holed a few putts.”

Lamb obviously knew he’d have to slay the giants if he were to take that next massive step in his fledgling career.

“Yeah, I know. I mean, if you want to do this, then you just got to get with them and try and beat them.

“They’ve obviously been in these situations a few more times than me.

“I’m still learning so, I mean, we’ll see what happens.

“It’s hard to think about, but I’d rather just not think about it, and just play my own game and just go from there.”