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14 February 2009 Kuala Lumpur, February 14: Australia's Adam Blyth will take a one shot lead into the final round of the Maybank Malaysian Open after a third round 66 took him to 14 under par, one stroke clear of China's Liang Wen-chong and Sweden's Alexander Noren after a blockbuster third round.
It was a day of high drama and excitement as the leaderboard constantly changed with home favourite Danny Chia beginning the day as the third round leader, then falling out of the race, only to haul himself back into contention just three shots off the pace.
Liang and Noren kept themselves within a stroke of the leader with respective third round scores of 67 and 69, with Anthony Kang, Prayad Marksaeng and Miles Tunnicliff all tied for fourth on 12 under after some brilliant third round performances.
Tunnicliff set the tone for the day with a rampaging nine under par 63 that saw him barge his way through the field before Marksaeng delighted the Malaysian galleries with a chip-in eagle two on the par four 17th.
Liang's 67 was full of quality golf, while Noren saved his best for last, holing a monster putt in the 18th green for birdie to send the crowd into raptures.
Blyth was delighted to take the lead at the Saujana Golf and Country Club, the venue where he began his professional career four years ago and the place he would dearly love to secure his first professional victory.
"I'm very happy," said Blyth. "You always want to have a chance on a Sunday and that was the goal and I managed to get into that position, so it's good.
"I have been playing well and having some nice results at the end of last year. I wanted to just go out and give it my best and see what the result is. So far, it's good and I'll go out there tomorrow and try to continue that to see what the end result is.
"It would mean a lot to win here. My first pro event was here and I finished well so it was a good start to my career. I have fond memories here. It would mean the world if I can win any tournament, but here will be great. But it's a long way away and we don't want to get ahead of ourselves."
Noren is another who doesn't want to get ahead of himself, but he is excited at the prospect of securing a maiden European Tour victory.
"I'm excited about tomorrow," said the Swede. "I really wanted to get myself into that last group and I managed to do that with the putt on 18 so I am happy. I will be excited tomorrow but I won't show it - I never do unless I hole putts like I did on the last hole today. I will just get up tomorrow, have a late breakfast and take it easy.
"The approach tomorrow will be much the same. It's fine when you have been playing well for three days because you know your way around the course by the time the final round comes. You basically know what clubs you are going to hit off most of the tees and where you want to put your ball on most of the fairways. The wind has been the same for the last three days so that makes it easier and helps you get into more of a rhythm and you have a kind of gameplan. You are just hoping that you swing it well and that you can make the right putts at the right times."
For Liang, the 2007 Asian Tour Number One, the presence of his coach was a huge factor in his challenge for the title.
He said: "I will try my best and hope to secure a good result. My coach followed me through every hole which helped me tackle the course. He always makes a difference when he is with me while I'm out on course. This is golf, anything can happen. I feel relaxed and calm and will head out with a similar approach in the final day."
Chia, meanwhile, was pleased that he did not see his title challenge falter in the third round as it had done last year. The Malaysian is very much in contention and hopes that the home crowd can inspire him to an historic victory.
"When I first headed out, I told myself to take whatever happens out there. I hit a couple of good shots but I told myself to play my best and not get too far away from the leaders. I am very happy with my overall result so far."
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| Maybank Malaysian Open debuts at the newly remodelled Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club in 2010 Thu, 11 Jun 2009 | | Kang is king at Maybank Malaysian Open Sun, 15 Feb 2009 | | King Kang conquers Maybank Malaysian Open Sun, 15 Feb 2009 | | Blyth grabs lead in Maybank Malaysian Open Sat, 14 Feb 2009 | | Danny's déjà-vu sees him lead in Maybank Malaysian Open 2009 Fri, 13 Feb 2009 | | Chia soars on eagle's wings Fri, 13 Feb 2009 | | It's the Noren and Noh show at the Maybank Malaysian Open 2009 Thu, 12 Feb 2009 | | Thongchai bids for record-equalling win in Malaysia Wed, 11 Feb 2009 | | The King and I: Kim gets Royal treatment in Malaysia Tue, 10 Feb 2009 | | Kim aims to be King of Maybank Malaysian Open Tue, 10 Feb 2009 | | Maybank Malaysian Open prepares for tee-off at Saujana Golf and Country Club Mon, 9 Feb 2009 | | Local golfers out in force at the Maybank Malaysian Open Fri, 6 Feb 2009 | | Testing the Cobra for the 9th time Thu, 5 Feb 2009 | | European stars make their way to the Maybank Malaysian Open Wed, 4 Feb 2009 | | Thongchai Jaidee and Prayad Marksaeng aim to continue their winning form in Malaysia Wed, 28 Jan 2009 | | Results of National Qualifying Tournament for Maybank Malaysian Open 2009 Tue, 20 Jan 2009 | | Day 1 of National Qualifying Tournament for Maybank Malaysian Open 2009 Mon, 19 Jan 2009 | | Callaway Golf announced as Official Equipment and Ball partner for Maybank Malaysian Open 2009 in February Fri, 16 Jan 2009 | | Anthony Kim coming to Saujana for the Maybank Malaysian Open 2009 Thu, 8 Jan 2009 |
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