Thailand's Pariya Junhasavasdikul stretched his lead in the $60,000 Mercedes-Benz Masters Malaysia on Friday (AFP)
Thailand's Pariya Junhasavasdikul stretched his lead in the 60,000-dollar Mercedes-Benz Masters Malaysia Friday on a day which saw the cream rise to the top with some brilliant low scoring.
Thailand's Pariya Junhasavasdikul stretched his lead in the 60,000-dollar Mercedes-Benz Masters Malaysia Friday on a day which saw the cream rise to the top with some brilliant low scoring.
Pariya, the leader by one at the start of the day, opened up a three-shot advantage after carding a third round six-under-par 66 at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club.
He leads on 13-under-par 203 from Singapore's Mardan Mamat who stormed back into contention with a 65.
Malaysia's Danny Chia also moved up the leaderboard after returning a 67 and is in solo possession of third place, four shots behind Pariya.
Pariya, chasing his second victory on the Mercedes-Benz Tour, produced his best round of the week, nailing seven birdies, and his only blemish came on the final hole where he made a bogey.
"I am delighted -- can't complain about six under," said Pariya, 26. "I am sticking to my plan of playing positive golf and not holding back. I did not play the par fives well, that was the only disappointment."
Pariya would have had a more considerable lead if it had not been for a fine round by Mamat.
The Singaporean, who is currently fasting for Ramadhan, was the first round leader with a 66 but struggled home in 75 on the second day.
However, he produced a stirring fight back on Friday with eight birdies and one dropped shot.
"That felt good and certainly made up for yesterday. I have a chance now but will need a low round tomorrow," said Mamat.
Chia leads the Malaysian challenge despite nursing a bad back which he picked up playing in the British Open last month.
"I am getting better every day but I think Pariya will be hard to beat. It makes for a good three ball in the final flight tomorrow," said Chia.
Leading third-round scores (par 72):
203 - Pariya Junhasavasdikul (THA) 68 69 66
206 - Mardan Mamat (SIN) 66 75 65
207 - Danny Chia (Mas) 72 68 67
209 - Kim Young Jin (KOR) 72 70 67, Thanyakon Khrongpha (THA) 70 69 70
210 - Antonio Lascuna (PHI) 73 70 67, Khor Kheng Hwai (MAS) 71 67 72
211 - Gene Bondoc (PHI) 71 71 69, Juvic Pagunsan (PHI) 72 70 69
212 - S Sivachandran (MAS) 71 69 72, Pornpong Phatlum (THA) 69 70 73
213 - Mohd Sukree Othman (MAS) 71 73 69
215 - Haziq Hamizan (MAS) 72 75 68, Nicholas Fung (MAS) 72 74 69, Akhmal Tarmizee (MAS) 70 75 70, Pravee Visalkit (Tha) Thailand 72 70 73
© 2010 AFP/sid
