Kuala Lumpur: Canadian Jared Du Toit is wasting no time in taking advantage of the playing opportunities afforded to him by graduating from the Asian Tour Qualifying School last month.
He shot a fine nine-under-par 62 to take the third-round lead in the US$1 million Malaysian Open at The Mines Resort and Golf Club in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
His tournament total of 17-under gives him a one-stroke lead over joint-overnight leader Australian Kevin Yuan, who fired a 68, the same score as John Catlin from the United States, who is one shot further back, in the curtain raiser for the Asian Tour's 2024 season.
Spain's David Puig fired a 62 and is tied for fourth place, three off the lead, with Korean Kim Bi-O and Deyen Lawson from Australia, who both shot 66s, and England's Steve Lewton, in with a 68.
The other co-leader at the start of the day Khavish Varadan from Malaysia slipped back with 72 and is five off the pace, along with compatriot Ervin Chang, who carded a 69.
"You know everything was working, just one of those days," said 28-year-old Du Toit from Alberta, who made 10 birdies, including four in succession from the ninth and three on the trot from the 15th, and one bogey.
Du Toit played the Korn Ferry Qualifying School and is delighted to be finally playing for money in a tournament.
Du Toit, who won on the PGA Tour Canada in 2021, added: "I am loving being in Asia. It's only my second time here, I was in Thailand for the Q School. I love Asian food, so it's been pretty seamless there.
"I chose Asia as I wanted kind of a promotion for lack of better words. Played Canadian and Latin tours for a while and I heard great things about Asia, all the events, places you get to travel. It really excited me, so I signed up, and I was lucky enough to make it through Q School and now we are here."