Nicholas wants to nick a top 10 finish
NICHOLAS Fung has set himself up for a maiden top 10 finish on the European Tour after a solid display.
The 28-year-old fired a third round three-under 69 to be tied in 13th spot at six-under for the tournament yesterday.
Nicholas began his round impressively by moving to three-under through 10 holes before a second bogey on the 15th pegged him back.
But the one-time Asian Tour winner swiftly made up with a birdie on the 16th to end the day in a three-way tie which included 2017 winner Fabrizio Zanotti of Paraguay.
Nicholas’ previous best European Tour finish also came at the Championship when he finished joint 24th in 2016, then at the Royal Selangor Golf Club.
Hopes of a victory are slim as Nicholas trails leader Nacho Elvira by seven shots, after the Spaniard carded a 66 to claim a two-shot cushion into the final day.
But a top 10 result, which will net Nicholas a tidy sum of US$60,000 (RM244,000), is still enough to make him grin from ear to ear.
“I’m very happy to be in the top 20 today, but I expect myself to finish better. Top 10 is my goal,” said Nicholas, who is also a threetime runner-up on the Asian Tour.
“But I must try not to get the thought (top 10 finish) running through my head so much. There’s still another round to go and it won’t be easy because the Europeans are picking up the momentum and shooting really low scores.
“I’ve played here many times and I know I’m capable as well. The key is to not get yourself into trouble. Keep your ball in the fairways and greens and of course make the putts.
“I putted so much better today and it has boosted my confidence,” he added.
Local fans will have plenty to look forward to in the final day as national No. 1 Gavin Kyle Green is also on course for a strong finish.
The 25-year-old Gavin shot a 69 to climb to joint 30th on three-under 213, four strokes off the top 10.
Gavin, the sole Malaysian competing on the European Tour, has three top 10 finishes under his belt.
The best-ever finish by a home golfer in the Championship was Ben Leong, who was tied 12th in 2017.