Anthony Kang (AFP)
American stalwart Anthony Kang and Thai young gun Prom Meesawat were battling for the lead in the third round when play was suspended at the Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational on Saturday.
Prom chalked up five birdies against a lone bogey with five holes to play on 13-under before play was called off because of bad weather at the Damai Indah Golf BSD Course.
Kang, who was the joint leader at the end of the second round, remained steady alongside Prom on day three, ending one under after 11 holes in the 350,000-dollar Asian Tour event.
Ryder Cup star Lee Westwood battled the gusting winds, ending even-par after 11 holes on 12-under alongside India's Harmeet Kahloon, who was two-under after 12 holes.
Australian rookie Neven Basic, who is enjoying his best run on the Asian Tour, fired two birdies against an equal number of bogeys after 12 holes.
Ashley Hall of Australia grabbed the clubhouse lead after a bogey-free four-under-par 68 at the Jack Nicklaus-designed course.
With a nine-under-par 207 total, Hall was a stroke ahead of compatriot Adam Blyth, who posted a 69.
Before the third round action got underway Saturday, 77 players returned to complete their second round, with Westwood, Kang, Basic and Taiwan's Lu Wei-chih grabbing the joint halfway lead.
A total of 67 players made the cut.
Play was suspended at 3:28 pm because of lightning and 54 players will resume the third round on Sunday at 6:40am local time.
Prom, ranked 25th on the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit, with one title under his belt, was four under on the front nine before a dropped shot on the 12th. He bounced back with a birdie at the 13th.
"I was coping well with delays this whole week ...But today it is slightly different because I will resume play tomorrow in the bunker.
"I am a bit nervous that the situation might disrupt the remaining five holes in the third round but I will put my head down and hope to produce a solid result."
With two birdies against a lone dropped shot, Kang will be hoping to continue his momentum on Sunday.
© 2007 AFP/sid
