Sungai Petani: Shaifubari Muda neared his goal of claiming a career-reviving victory on the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) after extending his lead at the RM125,000 Sime Darby Harvard Classic with a third round 70 today.
The 39-year-old seasoned professional totalled 12-under 204 to open up a three-shot advantage over another veteran S. Murthy, who managed a 69 today. First round leader Mohd Amli Mohiyadeen remained in contention for a strong finish, despite slipping four strokes behind the leader after a round of level-par 72.
But it was local lad Mohd Azman Basharuddin that turned on the style on a wet day at Harvard Golf & Country Club, the rookie professional notching a flawless round of six-under 66 to improve to sole fourth on seven-under 209. The quartet of Danny Chia, S. Sivachandhran, Haziq Hamizan and P. Gunasagaran was amongst four others six off the pace with a three-day total of 210.
After a relatively quiet start with a bogey on the par-three 4th, Shaifubari came alive with birdies on the eighth and nineth to make the turn on 35 before mixing another two birdies and a bogey to make it back to the clubhouse with a solid lead to take into the final round tomorrow.
“The rhythm and feeling has been the same since day one. I haven’t changed anything except maybe the score has not reflected that,” said Shaifubari. I’m happy, the feeling that my game is coming back is definitely keeping me upbeat and I’m really confident that I could pull it through,” he added.
The Saujana touring professional admitted while there was room for mental errors during the last stretch tomorrow, he will not be the only one feeling it. “It’s going to come down to who stays the calmest tomorrow. All my fellow professionals who are in contention will feel some sort of pressure and it really depends on who can last till the end,” shared Shaifubari. “If it’s going to be my turn to claim a victory after seven-long years of searching, I’m just going to be thankful to God.”
Leading third round scores
204 – Shaifubari Muda 68-66-70
207 – S. Murthy 68-69-70
209 – Azman Basharuddin 71-72-66
210 – Danny Chia 69-70-71; S. Sivachandhran 74-67-69; Haziq Hamizan 70-69-71; P. Gunasagaran 71-68-71
211 – Nicholas Pua 70-69-72
212 – Md Rashid Ismail 70-73-69; Wilson Choo 67-72-73
213 – R. Nachimuthu 72-70-71
215 – Khor Kheng Hwai 68-75-72; Shaaban Hussin 71-70-74; Airil Rizman 71-70-74; Solhairy Sharif 70-71-74
