Bhullar stays ahead after third round

Bhullar stays ahead after third round

MACAU : India's Gaganjeet Bhullar stayed firmly in the driver's seat at the Macau Open after scrambling to a two-under-par 69 in the third round yesterday.

The 24-year-old Bhullar, who has led the US$750,000 Asian Tour event from the opening day, retained his overnight two-shot lead at the Macau Golf and Country Club but rued two missed putts from close range over the last two holes.

Thitiphun Chuayprakong also shot a 69 to stay in contention for a maiden Asian Tour victory while Filipino Angelo Que (70), Scott Hend of Australia (69) and American Berry Henson (68) will enter the final round four shots back.

The supremely talented Bhullar will be aiming for a second victory within the space of a month but knows his challengers will not hand him victory on a silver platter.

"I've been in this situation a few times. I know it's a difficult thing. I'm going to try to do the same things as I did in India and keep it simple. Just repeat what I've been doing the past three days and play percentage golf," said Bhullar, who is on 13-under-par 200.

Thitiphun, 20, continued to show his growing stature by staying in touch with Bhullar after signing for four birdies against two bogeys.

He featured in the final group at the Indonesian Masters last year alongside England's Lee Westwood and hopes to use the experience to good effect today.

"I hope to learn from my past experience. I'll just keep telling myself to relax. I'll need to breathe slowly in between shots," said the Thai. "Gaganjeet played well but I can still catch him."

LEADING THIRD ROUND SCORES
(a denotes amateur)

200 _ Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND) 63-68-69

202 _ Thitiphun Chuayprakong (THA) 67-66-69

204 _ Berry Henson (USA) 67-69-68, Scott Hend (AUS) 65-70-69, Angelo Que (PHI) 68-66-70

205 _ Jonathan Moore (USA) 67-68-70, Adilson Da Silva (BRA) 68-66-71, Kieran Pratt (AUS) 66-68-71, Prom Meesawat (THA) 65-68-72

206 _ Antonio Lascuna (PHI) 68-72-66, Siddikur (BAN) 66-68-72

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