Lockerbie and Liang lead Singapore Masters after three rounds SINGAPORE -- Englishman Gary Lockerbie shot seven birdies in a 3-under-par 69 and a share of the Clariden Leu Singapore Masters lead with China's Liang Wenchong on Saturday heading into the final round. Liang fired a third round 4-under 68 including six birdies and two bogeys for a three-round aggregate of 12-under 204 at the $1.1 million tournament, which is sanctioned by the European Tour and the Asian Tour. After alternating rounds on the Laguna National Golf and Country Club's Masters and Classic courses over the first two days, both weekend rounds are being played on the more difficult Masters Course.
He ended off the round with a birdie putt from 20 feet. Lockerbie mixed his birdies with two bogeys and a double bogey. Overnight leader Jyoti Randhawa of India was one stroke off the lead after an erratic, even-par round in which he shot four birdies only to negate them with the same number of bogeys. Malaysia's Iain Steel (71) and Ireland's Peter Lawrie (70) sat two strokes off the pace. Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee (69) and Englishman Simon Dyson (67), who both fired eagles on the par-5 eighth hole, were tied in sixth at 9 under. Englishman Nick Dougherty (66) shot seven birdies and one bogey for a three-round total of 8 under, along with Australia's Terry Pilkadaris (67). Defending champion Mardan Mamat was 5 under. Lockerbie double bogeyed the par-3 eighth hole when he found the water. He then conceded two bogeys on the back nine, including the final hole where he three-putted. Lockerbie, leading a tournament after three rounds for the first time, said he would not change his approach going into the last day. "I will just take it as it comes," he said. "At the moment I am just trying to secure a card for next year." Randhawa, who won the 2000 Singapore Open, said Saturday's conditions were more difficult than the previous day's. "I'm not playing all that great but I am managing to keep myself together and that is sort of what I did," Randhawa said. "Coming in I dropped a few shots, which I shouldn't have done, but I am pleased to just be one shot off the lead." Lockerbie, a 24-year-old European Tour rookie, had no regrets about his final-hole bogey, which cost him the outright lead. The Englishman held a two-shot advantage at Laguna National after sinking his 40-foot birdie at the penultimate hole and before he three-putted the 18th when he missed a four-footer for par. "I would definitely have taken being tied for the lead after today," said the Challenge Tour graduate, who had seven birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey. "I would have taken 69 today as well so I am just going to forget about what happened at the last," he added. "I think that the birdie on the 17th was a bit of a bonus anyway, so that is what happens." Despite the late lapse, Lockerbie will still get to play in the final group on Sunday for the first time in his professional career and remains in a good position to win his first pro title. "This is a bit of a new experience, but I'm sure I'll be fine," added the 2003 English Amateur champion. "I find myself in a different position now and if the time is right I am sure it will happen, but we will wait and see. "I don't think it is going to be a really low score which wins on Sunday. If I can knock it round in 3 or 4 under on Sunday, I'm not going to be far away." Liang's birdie at the 18th was his sixth birdie of the day, and he is in contention for his first victory on either the Asian or European Tour. "The most important thing for me was to be in the final grouping on Sunday. That is what I was gunning for and I'm happy that I did it," said Liang. "As for Sunday, all I want is to just enjoy the atmosphere out on course." Randhawa also believes he is still very much in the title chase. "To get away with a par round and still be in contention after playing badly, that is something to console myself with going into Sunday," the New Delhi-based player said. "It is anybody's tournament from seven or eight under to 12 under. Anybody who shoots a good five or six under par round on Sunday has a chance to win." Robert Rock is on 7 under following a 5-under 67 -- his best round of the week -- while Barry Hume shot a 4-over 76 that included a double bogey on the 13th to slip to 6 under. Defending champion Mardan Mamat of Singapore was 5 under after a two-under 70, with a chip-in for eagle at the second the highlight. Outgoing Ryder Captain Ian Woosnam of Wales and Ryder Cup stars Lee Westwood and David Howell of England, and Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke missed the cut after Friday's second round. Copyright 2007 Associated Press and PA Sport. All rights reserved. |