Hua Hin: Siddikur Rahman shot one of the lowest rounds of his 18-year professional career yesterday, an eight-under-par 64, to share the third-round lead at the International Series Thailand with India's Chikkarangappa S, Zach Murray from Australia and Thailand's Jazz Janewattananond.
Chikkarangappa carded 67, Murray 68 and Jazz 69 at the par-72 Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin.
They lead the Asian Tour event on 15-under 201 by one shot from Koreans Bae Yong-Jun (65), Cho Min-Gyu (66), and Eom Jae-Woong (68), Micah Lauren Shin (67) from the United States, and Japan's Yosuke Asaji (68).
Overnight leader Dodge Kemmer from the United States slipped back with 74 and is 12 under.
With 28 players within three shots of the lead the tournament is wide open and the stage set for a gripping final day, in what is the third International Series event of the season.
Bangladesh's golfing idol Siddikur looked like he was going to shoot an even lower round as six birdies on the front saw him turn in six-under-par 30 and when birdies followed on 12, 13 and 15 the course record of 62, set by American Sihwan Kim last year, looked within reach.
However, the 38-year-old made his only bogey of the day on 17.
"It was a wonderful day, I was so sound," said Siddikur. "My hitting was excellent and at the same time my putting was too good. So, all over it was a wonderful round for me, nine birdies and one bogey, the last two holes a little bit unlucky, but, again, I'm happy for today."
Jazz didn't produce his best yesterday and also missed a chance to take the lead on his own after failing to hole a 16-foot birdie putt on 18, but he is well placed heading into today's final round.
"Just slow today, nothing really went for me but hung in there, gave myself a good position to go in and play good in the last round," said the 2019 Asian Tour No.1.
Chikkarangappa, looking for his first win on the Asian Tour, had a chance to hold the outright lead but made bogey on the par-five 18th.
Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat, two off the lead at the start of the day, had a surprisingly poor start going out in two over, he battled back making four birdies in a row from the 13th but carded a 71 and is two behind the leaders.