Leun Kwang on the verge of sealing CIMB Classic spot

KUALA LUMPUR: Kim Leun Kwang is just one round away from tasting his first ever success as a professional golfer – and it’s going to be a big prize.

Another superb round of four-under 67 put the 23-year-old on the brink of earning his maiden appearance in the US$7mil (RM29mil) CIMB Classic as he takes a commanding threeshot lead into today’s final round of the CIMB National Championship.

Leun Kwang reeled in six birdies against two bogeys at the TPC Kuala Lumpur as he moved to 11-under 202.

Amir Nazrin Jailani fired a matching 67 to be the only man in the field who looks capable of turning the tables on Leun Kwang at three strokes back.

Three others – Alex Tiong, R. Nachimuthu and Sukree Othman – are tied for third, a whopping eight shots off the pace on a three-un-

der 210.

Leun Kwang has vowed to get the job done. “I’m happy with my game,” said Leun Kwang, who is still without a title to show since turning professional in 2013.

“Amir played really well and it was quite fun out there. Hopefully I can do this again tomorrow and I hope it’s good enough. I hit my irons solid and gave myself a few chances.

“You can’t think of the rewards as we’re still 18 holes away.”

Leun Kwang could have extended his lead by another shot had he not bogeyed his final hole on the 18th.

“Slight hiccup at the last. An under-par round is still a good round. I’ll stick to my game plan of hitting the fairways and greens tomorrow.”

After finishing third in last year’s championship, Amir kept himself in the chase by trading blows with Leun Kwang.

The 21-year-old believes the three-shot is not too big of a gap.

“We hit it close, it was a good fight,” said Amir. “I’ll try to be more aggressive tomorrow. You can’t say it’s a big lead.

“Three shots, anything can still happen. I’ll try to keep it close and see if I get a chance to overtake him. I’m playing good enough to shoot another low round.”