Australia’s Scott Hend kept his nose in front at the Asian PGA’s Burma Open on Saturday with a three-under-par third-round 69 to take a one-shot lead into the final day.
Hend, at 16 under par, is aiming to end a three-year title drought but will have to hold off the challenge of rising Thai star Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who also shot a 69 to lie one shot back at the Royal Mingalardon Golf and Country Club.
Tetsuji Hiratsuka of Japan kept alive his hopes of retaining the title when he posted a 67 to share third place at 14 under with Marcus Both of Australia, a two-time Asian Tour winner and Ben Fox of the United States in the $US300,000 event.
The big-hitting Hend, 39, who last won on the Asian Tour in 2008, fired a flawless round with three birdies and said he was not concerned by the chasing pack.
“It doesn’t really worry me, I’m a good player myself, why should I worry about what’s behind me? I’ll just look at what’s in front,” said Hend.
He said he was delighted with his performance so far, despite some disappointing putting.
“It was a bit difficult because I didn’t hole any putts. That was an opportunity gone to put some people out of the tournament and I didn’t do that. It is going to be a good day tomorrow, should be a good shoot-out so let’s see what happens,” he said.
Kiradech, known for his grip-it and rip-it style of play, birdied the last hole to stay within touching distance of the leader, while Hiratsuka, birdied all the par fives in a round of seven birdies against two bogeys to give himself a chance of defending the title he won in 2010.