October 31, 2015: American Brendan Steele fought into a share of the third round lead with Justin Thomas following a birdie slugfest at the US$7 million CIMB Classic on Saturday. Steele, chasing a second PGA TOUR victory, produced a blemish free six-under-par 66 at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club’s West course to earn the 54-hole lead with halfway leader Thomas, who birdied his closing two holes for a 67. A second straight 67 was not enough to help Anirban Lahiri bring himself into contention in Kuala Lumpur.
American Kevin Na, the Asian Tour’s Rookie of the Year in 2002 and now firmly established on the PGA TOUR, launched himself into the title mix for a third straight week with a nine-birdie round of 64 that left him one back of the co-leaders.
Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama, ranked 15th in the world, shot a 68 to lie joint fourth with James Hahn (64), Brian Harman (66) and Spencer Levin (68) in the CIMB Classic, which is jointly sactioned by the PGA TOUR and Asian Tour.
Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Anirban Lahiri of India shot a second straight 67 to lie in equal 16th position, some eights off the pace in what is also his first event as a PGA TOUR member.
Anirban Lahiri got his bucketful of birdies in the third round of the CIMB Classic on Saturday. The problem was he dropped one too many shots as well to leave himself out of the title fight.
The current Asian Tour number one made eight birdies at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club’s West course, including four in his last five holes but three bogeys on the card saw him settle for a five-under-par 67 that put him in a share of 16th place on 12-under-204.
The 28-year-old Indian will enter the last round some eight shots behind co-leaders Justin Thomas and Brenda Steele after starting the week with hopes of notching a second win on the West course following his memorable Malaysian Open success in February.
“I’ve been playing good but I haven’t made birdies in bunches. It’s just been bogey-free or one bogey and three, four or five birdies. But it was nice to make eight birdies today. You have to be in a birdie mood on this golf course, otherwise you’re not going to catch anyone,” said Lahiri.
“I’m going to have to make as many or more birdies tomorrow and try and keep a clean card,” added the Indian, a seven-time Asian Tour winner and playing this week as a PGA TOUR member as well.
He holds a massive US$621,000 lead over second-ranked Scott Hend of Australia, who shot level par 72 to trail Lahiri by a further five shots. Andrew Dodt of Australia, ranked third on the Merit list, is further down the leaderboard after a 74 on Saturday, which gives Lahiri the upperhand in the Merit race.
Lahiri is hopeful he can improve on his tied 16th position with a final round push. “I would have liked to be in a better position but having started weak (with a 70), I think this is not a bad place to be. I feel like I’m playing well so hopefully I can get a really deep round. My energy level is surprisingly good,” he said.
Asian Tour member Paul Peterson of the United States, ranked 11th on the Order of Merit, fired a fine 68 to share 20th position on 205, nine shots back of the leaders.
