David Bransdon has fired a third round of 70 to draw within three strokes of joint leaders Marcus Higley and Ricardo Gonzalez after three rounds of the Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur. Bransdon nailed four birdies on the opening nine to move into a share of the lead at six-under-par, but two bogeys on the back nine moved him back into a tie for sixth place at four-under-par. Higley and Gonzalez share the lead at seven-under-par, two clear of Angelo Que, Edward Loar and Prom Meesawat, while Simon Yates, Peter Hedblom and Simon Dyson are tied with Bransdon at four-under-par. Overnight leader Chinarat Phadungsil had a disastrous third round, shooting a 77, to be in equal 18th place at two-under-par, tied with Australians Gavin Flint and Terry Pilkadaris. Pilkadaris shot the equal best round of the day, a four-under-par 68, to move into contention, after a disappointing 74 in the second round. Fellow Australians Gary Simpson and Marcus Both fired third rounds of 73 to be in joint 30th position at even par, one clear of compatriot Matthew Millar who carded a round of 71. Kane Webber shot a 77 to drop to two-over-par, one clear of Adam Groom who fired a 75 and Unho Park who carded a third round of 73. Former US Open champion Michael Campbell had a horror day on the greens, carding a disappointing round of 78, to drop to equal 66th place at seven-over-par. Third round scores from the Malaysian Open (par 72): -7: Marcus Higley 72 67 70, Ricardo Gonzalez 69 71 69 -5: Angelo Que 70 73 68, Edward Loar 68 71 72, Prom Meesawat 72 69 70 -4: Simon Yates 73 69 70, Peter Hedblom 73 71 68, Simon Dyson 71 68 73, David Bransdon (Australia) 70 72 70 -3: Mikko Ilonen 69 70 74, Damien McGrane 70 73 70, Frankie Minoza 72 70 71, Andrew Coltart 74 69 70, Gary Lockerbie 72 71 70, Graeme Storm 72 72 69, Robert-Jan Derksen 70 73 70, Ignacio Garrido 76 69 68 -2: Gavin Flint (Australia) 71 71 72, Chinarat Phadungsil 70 67 77, Jean-Francois Lucquin 72 68 74, Terry Pilkadaris (Australia) 72 74 68 Also: E: Gary Simpson (Australia) 71 72 73, Marcus Both (Australia) 71 72 73 +1: Matthew Millar (Australia) 74 72 71 +2: Kane Webber (Australia) 68 73 77 +3: Adam Groom (Australia) 73 71 75, Unho Park (Australia) 75 71 73 +7: Michael Campbell (NZ) 75 70 78
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