Korean Lee Sung-man takes a one stroke lead into the final round of the Carlsberg Malaysian Open after completing the storm-delayed third round with a five under par 67 at Saujana Golf Club to move to 12 under par 204.
Lee lies a shot clear of Chawalit Plaphol of Thailand with another Thai, Thongchai Jaidee a further stroke adrift on ten under par 206 after completing the low third round of 64.
Australian Marcus Fraser, who made the step up from the Challenge Tour to The European Tour last year when he won the BMW Russian Open, shares fourth place with Jason Knutzon of the United States, Frenchman Thomas Levet, Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng and England’s Andrew Marshall on eight under par 208.
Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez, the current leader of the Ryder Cup World Points List and second on the Volvo Order of Merit, is following his victory in the Johnnie Walker Classic with another impressive performance in Asia, a third round 67 lifting him to share of ninth place on 209, seven under par, five shots off the lead.
Paul McGinley’s hopes of a fourth European Tour title look slim after dropping four shots in the space of three holes to drop from eight under par to four under and seven shots off the pace. Three three putts and a double bogey upon the resumption of his third round on Sunday morning saw the Irishman fall to a share of 16th place.
Lee, who was born deaf and communicates by lip reading and through his father, said: “I’m feeling very relaxed. I feel like I am swinging very well but the weather breaks have allowed me time to think about things. I am not thinking about winning, just go out for the final round, play my best and stick to my own game.”
Thongchai, a former paratrooper, birdied his last two holes to remain very much in the hunt for the title in the event joint sanctioned by The European Tour and the Asian Tour.
