Kiradech Aphibarnrat holds a one-shot lead at the Malaysian Open after play was suspended for a third consecutive day as Australian Wade Ormsby continues to threaten. Aphibarnrat, though, carded a round of four-under 68 and was two shots into his third round and at 11 under when thunderstorms lashed the Kuala Lumpur Golf and country Club on Saturday. With play ending prematurely for the third day in succession, organisers were forced to reduce the competition to a 54-hole event. Play will resume at 9:45am local time on Sunday with $2.75 million up for grabs at the Asian and European Tour event. South African Charl Schwartzel, winner of the 2011 Masters, is one-stroke adrift of the Thai golfer heading into Sunday&aposs third and final round. Two strokes back are a group of seven players, including Dane Anders Hansen, who picked up four strokes and climbed 16 places through eight holes in his third round on Saturday. Irishman Padraig Harrington, a three-time Major champion, is also tied on nine-under alongside countryman Peter Lawrie, Italian Edoardo Molinari, French duo Victor Dubuisson and Gregory Bourdy, and China&aposs Ashun Wu. Indian Milkha Jeev Singh was 11 holes into his third round when rain interrupted play, leaving him in a share of 10th at eight under for the tournament. Jean-Baptiste Gonnet of France, Scotsman Alastair Forsyth, Spaniard Rafa Cabrera-Bello, Ormsby and England&aposs Tommy Fleetwood were also three shots off the pace. Ormsby was just one shot behind Aphibarnrat after two rounds, as the Australian posted a blemish free seven-under 65 in his second to be nine-under overall. Having birdied the last two holes in the second round, Ormsby couldn&apost re-discover that touch in his third as he bogeyed the second hole to fall slightly off the pace. Ormsnby is seven strokes ahead of his nearest compatriots in Scott Barr (69) and Richard Green (70), the duo having picked up one stroke already in their third rounds, while Andrew Dodt is at even par as he is at one over after 11 holes in his third round.
Author: Omnisport