Jawi [PENANG]: Danny Chia maintained his momentum at the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Bukit Jawi Championship after shooting a third round three-under-par 69 to lead by two shots on Friday.
The 42-year-old, who held the share of the lead since the opening round, stayed on trac for his eighth win on the flourishing domestic circuit after firing a three-day total of 14-under-par 202.
Casey O’Toole of the United States saved a crucial par on the last hole as he returned with a 69 to remain in the hunt for a first career victory at the Bukit Jawi Golf Resort.
Thailand’s Itthipat Buranatanyarat and Poom Saksansin posted matching 69s to trail Chia by four and five shots respectively at the RM200,000 event, co-sanctioned with the Asian Development Tour (ADT).
Chia started nervously when he bogeyed the fifth hole before turning in 35 as he struggled with poor iron shots. He battled on with three more birdies which included a five-foot birdie on the par three 12th hole before dropping a disappointing bogey on the last hole.
“I didn’t have a good finish but I’m quite happy with the result because I didn’t strike the ball well today. My short game has always been quite good and that saved my round especially on my first five holes,” said Chia.
“I was nervous and I was very conscious about missing the greens but I saved pars. I birdied the 12th hole from five feet and that was the turning point. I want to win but when I step out on the tee tomorrow, my goal is to just play my own game. I need a decent ball striking day and if I can do that, then it should be good enough to win,” added the current PGM Order of Merit leader.
O’Toole made a 12-foot par save on the last hole to keep his title hopes alive after trading four birdies against one bogey.
“I feel that my game is good but a lot of guys are still in it. I didn’t take advantage of the par fives today so I will try and do that tomorrow. The course is set up for a low round so I’ll try to go as low as I can,” said O’Toole.
Leading third round scores (Par-72) >
Malaysian unless stated
202 – Danny Chia 67-66-69
204 – Casey O’Toole (USA) 68-67-69
206 – Itthipat Buranatanyarat (THA) 67-70-69
207 – Poom Saksansin (THA) 68-70-69
208 – Josh Salah (USA) 68-70-70
209 – Ratchapol Jantavara (THA) 70-69-70, Sean Riordan (NZL) 68-71-70, Jordan Sherratt (AUS) 67-70-72
210 – Masaru Takahashi (JPN) 69-73-68, Kemarol Baharin 71-68-71, Nitithorn Thippong (THA) 68-69-73
211 – Rory Hie (INA) 69-72-70
212 – Rudy Thullier (FRA) 70-72-70, Atthaphon Sriboonkaew (THA) 68-71-73
213 – Arie Irawan 70-73-70, Mitsuhiko Hashizume (JPN) 72-69-72, Erwan Vielledent (FRA) 75-71-67
