Kuala Lumpur, 14 April: A sleep-deprived Louis Oosthuizen showed no signs of losing his grip on the Maybank Malaysian Open title as weather delays once again interrupted play on round three of the US$2.5 million co-sanctioned championship.

Despite his rivals' best efforts, the 29-year-old South African underlined his Major-winning credentials, mixing three birdies against a bogey through 10 holes at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club to lead the field on fourteen-under-par, one stroke ahead of Scotsman Stephen Gallacher.

Halfway through his third round, Oosthuizen admitted that the weather conditions have slightly altered his game plan ahead of the resumption of round three on Sunday morning. "I am probably going for a few more shots than usual because I am kind of playing it like it might be the last round, just in case all of a sudden it becomes a 54-hole event." 

"It's a tough week but it was always going to be the case this week. The jet-lag has been rough, especially having the kids with us because they are sleeping all day and then coming alive at night. Thankfully my wife has been up with them in the room next door while I try to sleep but I have not had more than four straight hours at any one time," said Oosthuizen.

"I feel good now. I made good putts on nine and ten for birdie and I have another birdie chance to come back to in the morning, so it feels really good. I am playing well and just have to keep giving myself chances," added the in-form Oosthuizen, who is coming off a strong runner-up finish at the first Major of the year at Augusta last week.

A flawless front nine 33 featuring three birdies has moved 38-year-old Gallacher into contention for his second European Tour title. - a good eight years since his breakthrough victory at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in 2004. "I am playing great and it is a good feeling to be right up there in contention. No bogeys today in the third round so far and that is helping with the confidence. I am giving myself a lot of chances, so hopefully we can get off to a fast start tomorrow," shared the 38-year-old.

Looking to get off to a hot start tomorrow morning is David Lipsky, who is the best-ranked Asian Tour player, level on ten-under-par for the championship alongside Spaniard Rafael Cabrera-Bello (five-under through 13 holes) and Danny Willet (four-under through 12 holes).

"I'm definitely excited to be up on the leaderboard. The last six holes are all birdie holes, so I hope to convert some some there. I have about 25 more holes to play and there's still a lot more time to make up ground. I'm looking forward to the challenge," said the Asian Tour rookie, who has already one win to his belt this year.

Also in the mix is India's Jyoti Randhawa, whose scorecard of six birdies and three bogeys through 12 holes puts him at nine-under for the tournament with Argentina's Ricardo Gonzalez and Hennie Otto and within four shots of the leader.

"I am surprised that I'm quite comfortable despite the pressure that I am playing at. Made some good putts and missed some short ones as well but that's okay. I'm feeling good about my golf swing and hitting it straight on the fairway, so I'm managing quite well," smiled Randhawa. .

Maybank ambassador Shaaban Hussin was the lone domestic challenger left in the field and the 31-year-old was clearly feeling the effects of playing a 27-holes marathon today, having returned early in the morning to complete his nine holes from yesterday. 

A bogey-ridden round of three-over 75 saw Shaaban slip down the leaderboard with a 54-hole total of one-over 217. "I was really exhausted towards the end of my third round today which affected my concentration towards the end" he said.

"I was two-under through 14 holes but my flight was warned for slow play by the match official and perhaps I took it a bit too personal and tried to speed up play, which saw me fumble on the last four holes," added Shaaban, who dropped three shots in succession from hole 6.

He was however confident of redeeming himself tomorrow. "I'm going to get some good rest tonight and come out here tomorrow with renewed determination. I think a to-30 finish is still within me."  

Play was abandoned after being suspended at 5.23pm. The Round 3 re-start will begin on Sunday, 15th April at 7.45am. Round 4 will begin at 8.30am without a re-draw, pairings will remain the same as Round 3. 

For more information on the Maybank Malaysian Open 2012, log on to www.maybankmalaysianopen.com.