Mixed fortunes for our golfers at Hong Kong Open
PETALING JAYA: Ben Leong was the top Malaysian after three rounds at the Hong Kong Open as Gavin Kyle Green and Danny Chia slipped down the leaderboard.
The 31-year-old Ben, a one-time Asian Tour winner, carded a three-under 67 to climb 15 places to joint 31st at the Hong Kong Golf Club yesterday.
Ben traded four birdies against a lone bogey to finish for a three-under 208 total, eight shots behind leader S.S.P Chawrasia of India.
Chawrasia posted a 69 to lead by a stroke from Spain's Rafa Cabrera Bello and Australia's Wade Ormsby heading into today's final round.
The Indian’s best finish at the tournament was in 2014 when he finished tied-fifth.
Bello produced the day’s lowest score by mixing his card with six birdies, one eagle and two bogeys for a three-day total of nine-under 201.
Danny bounced back from two bogeys on the front nine with two birdies during his return journey to sign for an even-par 70. Still, he dropped nine rungs to a share of 35th spot at one-under 209.
For Gavin, it was a day to forget as the 23-year-old returned a dismal four-over 74 to slip out of contention.
Gavin mixed four birdies and eight bogeys for a one-over 211 and dropped 35 spots to joint 52nd.
He could lose his Asian Tour Order of Merit lead to Chawrasia if the latter clinches the title today.