Sungai Buloh [SELANGOR]: Sukree Othman will take a two-shot lead into the final round of the PGA Championship of Malaysia after preserving his overnight advantage with a solid two-under 70 on Saturday.

The 39-year-old bounced back from poor opening display with two crucial birdies in his closing three holes to total 11-under 205 at Kelab Rahman Putra Malaysia.

Shaaban Hussin returned with his third consecutive three-under 69 to lead a trio of Tour regulars in chasing Sukree at the RM200,000 tournament, organised by the Professional Golf Association of Malaysia.

Airil Rizman Zahari, who won the championship in 2003, shot a flawless 69 to tie Shaaban and former national Akhmal Tarmizee Nazari, who carded a two-under 70.

Kemarol Baharin (70) stayed four strokes off the pace in sole fifth on 209.

After dropping two bogeys to turn in on 38, Sukree mixed five birdies against a bogey on the homeward nine to stay on course to end his barren run, which stretches back to July 2013.

“I was trying a bit too hard to maintain my lead and struggled with my rhythm at the start. Missed a short par putt on the seventh after missing the green and then an uncharacteristic three-putt on the ninth left me just one stroke ahead at the turn.

“Fortunately, I stayed positive and birdies on 10th and 11th got me the momentum I was looking for. The turning point of my round came when I curled in a 25-footer birdie on the 16th and another gain on the closing hole handed me a comfortable two-shot cushion,” said Sukree, who has five professional titles to his name.

Shaaban made amends for a couple of early bogeys with a strong run of four straight birdies from the 10th but another dropped shot on the 17th leaves him with some work tomorrow.

“Back-to-back 69s is not a bad thing but my ball-striking on the front nine cost me the lead today.

“I regained my confidence with four straight birdies to start my back nine and another gain on the 16th saw me move alongside Sukree but conceded a poor bogey on the next hole, which was pretty disappointing,” he noted.

In the senior’s championship which got underway today, P. Gunasagaran and Rusli Johari shot even-par 72s to share the opening lead.

The PGA Championship of Malaysia is presented with the support of Kelab Rahman Putra Malaysia, PinHigh, Malindo Air, Spritzer with The ClubHouse as the official media partner.

Leading third round scores (Par-72)
205 – Sukree Othman 67-68-70
207 – Shaaban Hussin 69-69-69, Airil Rizman Zahari 69-69-69, Akhmal Tarmizee Nazari 67-70-70
209 – Kemarol Baharin 68-71-70
210 – Iylia Jamil 69-72-69, Lam Yu Shuen 73-67-70
211 – Nachimuthu Ramasamy 77-64-70
212 – Rahizam Ramli 74-69-69, Hans Jamil 73-69-70, Kenneth Tobuse 70-69-73