Alor Gajah: Singaporean ace Mardan Mamat carded a faultless seven-under 65 to seize the initiative at the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM)-ASEAN A’Famosa Masters on Friday.
Mardan, a two-time ASEAN PGA Tour winner, opened up a healthy five-stroke lead at the top of the leaderboard with a 13-under 205 after the third round at A’Famosa Golf Resort.
R. Nachimuthu (68), Anis Helmi Hassan (69) and Khor Kheng Hwai (71) led the Malaysian charge as they moved into joint second place on 209 as S. Murthy, the 54-hole leader, stumbled to a two-over 74 to slip into a tie for fifth alongside Airil Rizman (69) on 210.
Thailand’s Ratchapol Jantavara (73), and Malaysians Iylia Jamil (72) and Mohd Rizal Amin (73) were tied on seven-under in fifth place in RM180,000 (US$60,000) co-sanctioned with the ASEAN PGA Tour.
Mardan, who chalked up three birdies over the first nine before adding another four on the homeward stretch, attributed his putting for his excellent display today.
“Of course, I hit the ball solidly,” said the 45-year-old winner at the PGM CCM Impian Masters in 2012. “But my putting has improved tremendously recently and that has shone through today,” added Mardan, who put back his old putter in play after a string of poor results.
“There is no doubt about it. After I went back to my old (Yes!) putter, things gotten a lot better and I’m putting – and playing – with much more confidence,” he added.
“I’m in a good position for the title but I don’t want to come in tomorrow thinking I have it all done. I still have to hold my game together and hopefully gain a third victory on the ASEAN PGA Tour,” noted Mardan.
Leading third round scores (Malaysian unless stated otherwise)
203 Mardan Mamat (SIN) 69-69-65
208 R Nachimuthu 73-67-68, Anis Helmi Hassan 72-67-69, Khor Kheng Hwai 68-69-71
210 S. Murthy 63-73-74, Airil Rizman 69-72-69
211 Ratchapol Jantavara (THA) 71-67-73, Iylia Jamil 71-68-72, Mohd Rizal Amin 69-69-73
213 Kenneth De Silva 70-70-73, Mohd Sukree Othman 69-70-74
214 Arie Fauzi 72-74-68, Zaw Moe (MYA) 71-71-72, Shaifubari Muda 70-71-73
215 Wanich Petcharit (THA) 72-74-69, S Sivachandran 71-72-72, Chirat Jirasuwan (THA) 71-70-74
