The world No.1688 had cancelled weekend flights to Fiji thinking he wouldn't get a spot in the $1.5 million field, but hastily re-arranged travel plans on Monday when told he would be first reserve.

And the almost anonymous Victorian's dash to the tiny Pacific country on a wing and a prayer has him staring at the biggest payday of his career, taming the wild Coral Coast winds to surprise a field which features Vijay Singh and two other former US Masters champions.

"I was fourth alternate on Sunday and I had a flight booked for Sunday night and Saturday [and] canned it," said Valente, who finished Thursday's play just one shot shy of New Zealander Daniel Pearce.

"On Monday morning I was told I was going to be first reserve and one of the Challenge Tour guys probably wasn't going to play so I decided to fly over. It's paid off obviously, so far.

"I said to the travel agent on Saturday, 'look, I'm probably not going to get in. I've been fourth reserve for a week so forget about it'. [But] it's cheaper to fly later to be honest. It wasn't like booking it six weeks in advance, but when you don't know your full schedule you can't do that.

"You're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't come over. The Aussie Tour co-sanctioning these events means these are great pathways. It's a great opportunity so if you get a chance, absolutely come and play."

Ironically Valente's career best result came when he finished in a tie for sixth in the Fiji International two years ago - and the Western Bulldogs-mad 32-year-old is also no stranger to flight changes.

He delayed a journey to Europe to play in the Dunhill Championship last year to watch the AFL premiers at the MCG in last year's grand final after realising he would have boarded a plane just hours before the first bounce.

Kiwi journeyman Pearce reeled off an eagle followed by three straight birdies on his inward nine on Thursday to post an electric 66, blotted by two dropped shots on his final four holes.

Pearce's breakthrough win came in the Queensland PGA earlier this year - just four weeks before the birth of his first child Lola - and fellow New Zealander Ben Campbell (-5) joined Valente in a share of second.

"It's definitely given me some new perspective on life," Pearce said of fatherhood. "It's pretty cool having a little person to come home to that doesn't make your bad rounds feel so bad and makes your good rounds feel even better I guess.

"It's the first international trip my wife has been on [since the birth] so it's good to have them both [including daughter Lola] over here with me."

South Australian Peter Cooke (-1) provided the day's highlight when he used a 52 degree gap wedge to ace the 132-metre 15th.

Malaysia's Gavin Green (-4) was the best of the morning draw, posting a blemish free final nine after he and Canadian playing partner Austin Connelly (-3) - who finished in the top 15 in last month's British Open - both eagled the 17th.

Singh battled an elbow complaint, but remains right in contention after carding a one-under 71 and took a thinly-veiled swipe at Australia's national championship after receiving rave reviews on his Natadola Bay course re-design.

"The economy of Fiji compared to Australia is worlds apart, yet we have the biggest golf tournament in this part of the world," Singh said. "I think Australia should take a hint from that and come up with a tournament that is better. This tournament has more prize money than the Australian Open ... that's ridiculous really."

Singh is one of three former US Masters champions in the Fiji International field, which also features Mike Weir (-1) and Angel Cabrera (even).

FIJI INTERNATIONAL (Aus unless stated)

-6: Daniel Pearce (NZ)

-5: Ben Campbell (NZ), Daniel Valente

-4: Gavin Green (Mas), Adam Bland, David McKenzie, Peter Wilson

-3: Jason Norris, Michael Sim, Austin Connelly (Can), Dale Brandt-Richards, Wade Ormsby, Rahil Gangjee (Ind)

Adam Pengilly is covering the Fiji International as a guest of the PGA of Australia.