Mental coaching pays off for Gavin in third round

TOP Malaysian golfer Gavin Kyle Green has set himself up for a strong finish after carding a confidence-boosting three-under 69 in the third round of the CIMB Classic at the TPC Kuala Lumpur.

Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Gavin made five birdies against two bogeys yesterday to finish with a three-day total of three-under 213.

A session of mental coaching must have done the trick for Gavin as he produced his best round of golf so far to move to a share of 44th spot.

“I hit it pretty solid again today. A couple mistakes, but it was pretty solid overall. Managed to make some putts coming down the stretch and made putts for birdies, especially 16th, 17th and 18th.

“I worked with my mental coach this morning and we just did a little bit of pre-shot routine, changed it up a little bit. It’s working so far,” said the 23-year-old, who lifted his first Asian Tour title at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters early this month.

With nothing to lose today, Gavin plans to attack the course.

“I hope I get a morning tee time. “I have a couple of scoring holes coming down the stretch on the back nine.

“I’ll try to get off to a good start again and see what happens. I’m going pretty hard tomorrow (today).”

Danny Chia carded a regulation 72 to lie in 62nd spot with a one-over 217 total while Nicholas Fung slipped to 72nd spot with a three-day total of four-over 220 after a three-over 75.