Defending champ Hend 2 clear in Macau

Defending champion Scott Hend battled to a four-under-par 67 in the third round of the Macau Open on Saturday, racing two shots clear of Anirban Lahiri to put a second straight title within his sights.

The Australian produced three birdies over his closing six holes at the Macau Golf and Country Club, while India’s Lahiri, the leader after the first round, carded a solid bogey-free 67 for second place at the $900,000 Asian Tour event.

But long-hitting Hend — who is chasing a seventh Asian Tour victory after winning the Hong Kong Open last Sunday — was not satisfied with his performance, pronouncing it “flat”.

“Hopefully I can come back tomorrow and feel a little more energy and concentrate better,” said the 41-year-old, who leads on 14-under-par 199.

“I’m just feeling flat, extremely flat.”

The overnight leader started in brilliant form, nailing four successive birdies from the second hole. But he lost concentration with three bogeys over a five-hole stretch mid-round, before streaking ahead again with birdies on 13, 15 and 18.

Fellow Australian and third-round co-leader Adam Groom fell five strokes off the pace after a 72 while Thailand’s Prom Meesawat took the day’s best round of 64 for third on the leader board.

South Africa’s Ernie Els, the tournament’s star attraction, was lagging behind on 211, two under par.

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