Adam Groom (AFP)
Australia's Adam Groom held on to a narrow one-stroke lead over American Bryan Saltus after a two-under-par 70 in the third round of the inaugural Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open on Saturday.
Groom, ranked 47th on the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit, is on course for his maiden Asian Tour title after he shot three birdies against a lone dropped shot for a 13-under-par 203 total.
American Saltus stayed in contention after a 71, matched by third-placed American Anthony Kang in the 300,000-dollar Asian Tour event.
The Thai trio of Thaworn Wiratchant, Chapchai Nirat, and Prom Meesawat were four strokes behind the leader, also in joint third spot, having fired a 67, 68 and 69 respectively at the Phokeethra Country Club.
England's Yasin Ali, who is ranked 70th on the money list, kept his hopes alive for a card next season when he blasted his second straight 68 to lie in lone seventh spot.
Groom, 28, was two under after 10 holes and held onto his one-stroke advantage when he parred the remaining eight holes on the way home.
"I guess knowing that I have secured my card for next year has helped me relax on course this week. I haven't played four rounds under par this season and doing that this week would be a great result.
"The conditions are not that tough and with a solid game tomorrow, it might just work out."
Saltus, with the help of a new putter this week, remained in contention, firing two birdies against a lone bogey.
"There was light at the end of the tunnel after my performance at the UBS Hong Kong Open. That's when I realised that I could finally string together one solid round and I have moved forward since then."
Thailand's Thaworn, a former Asian number one, shot up the ranks with four birdies in his first six holes as he battled the lengthy 7,226 yards par-72 Phokeethra course.
© 2007 AFP/sid
