BHULLAR STILL LEADS IN MACAU OPEN

MEDIA RELEASE FROM ASIAN TOUR

Macau: India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar stayed firmly in the driver’s seat at the Venetian Macau Open after scrambling to a two-under-par 69 in the third round today.

The 24-year-old Bhullar, who has led the US$750,000 Asian Tour event from the opening day, retained his overnight two-shot lead at the Macau Golf and Country Club but rued two missed putts from close range over the last two holes.

Thai youngster Thitiphun Chuayprakong also shot a 69 to stay in contention for a maiden Asian Tour victory while Filipino Angelo Que (70), Scott Hend of Australia (69) and American Berry Henson (68) will enter the final round four shots back.

Three-time Asian Tour number one Thongchai Jaidee’s challenge fizzled after a disappointing 73 while Bangladeshi Siddikur also failed to mount a run at Bhullar following a 72 which included five dropped shots in the middle of his round.

The supremely talented Bhullar will be aiming for a second victory within the space of a month but knows his challengers will not hand him victory on a silver platter. “I’ve won a few times wire-to-wire in India. The goal now is to do it on the bigger stage and on a bigger level,” said Bhullar, who has a three-day total of 13-under-par 200.

“I’ve been in this situation a few times. I know it’s a difficult thing. I’m going to try to do the same things as I did in India and keep it simple. Just repeat what I’ve been doing the past three days and play percentage golf.”

THIRD-ROUND SCOREBOARD:

Par 213 (3x71) Yardage 6,6606

200 - Gaganjeet BHULLAR (IND) 63-68-69.

202 - Thitiphun CHUAYPRAKONG (THA) 67-66-69.

204 - Berry HENSON (USA) 67-69-68, Scott HEND (AUS) 65-70-69, Angelo QUE (PHI) 68-66-70.

205 - Jonathan MOORE (USA) 67-68-70, Adilson DA SILVA (BRA) 68-66-71, Kieran PRATT (AUS) 66-68-71, Prom MEESAWAT (THA) 65-68-72.

206 - Antonio LASCUNA (PHI) 68-72-66, SIDDIKUR  (BAN) 66-68-72.

207 - Unho PARK (AUS) 69-68-70, Shiv KAPUR (IND) 70-67-70, Rikard KARLBERG (SWE) 69-68-70, Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) 66-68-73.