GARIA STILL IN THE MIX AFTER HOUDINI ESCAPES

MOORE AND NA SHARE THIRD-ROUND 

LEAD AT KUALA LUMPUR

 ASIAN TOUR NEWS RELEASE

Kuala Lumpur: Title-holder Ryan Moore of the United States shot a five-under-par 67 today to share the third-round lead with countryman Kevin Na as he stood on the brink of becoming the first man to successfully defend the CIMB Classic.

Moore rolled in seven birdies at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club for a three-day total of 12-under-par 204 and was joined atop the leaderboard by former Asian Tour Rookie of the Year Na, who surged into contention with a bogey-free 67.

World number four Sergio Garcia of Spain produced some wonderful par saves on his inward nine as he fired a 68 to share third spot with overnight leader Billy Hurley III, who carded a 71. They will enter the final round one stroke back in the US$7 million showpiece sanctioned by the Asian Tour and US PGA Tour.

 South Korea’s Bae Sang-moon, who is a three-time Asian Tour winner and double US PGA Tournament winner, is amongst those on 207 after a 68 while Asian Tour regular Angelo Que of the Philippines ended the third day in a share of ninth place following a 69.

“I've just been able to play good, solid, consistent golf so far, just finding the fairways, giving myself chances and I've been fortunate enough to make some putts. So in the end that's why I'm here,” said Moore, who won last year’s title in a Monday play-off against Gary Woodland. 

The 31-year-old Moore, a three-time winner, turned in 34 and, following a two-hour weather suspension, he birdied 11 and 12 which are amongst the trickiest holes at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club’s West course.

Na, who is of South Korean parentage, has fond memories of Malaysia as he secured his maiden professional victory on the Asian Tour back in 2002 while he was still a teenager. 

With three birdies in a row from the third hole and back-to-back birdies on 13 and 14, the 31-year-old will be chasing down his second US PGA Tour title.

Ryder Cup star Garcia produced some Houdini-like escapes as he saved pars on 12, 14 and 17, the last two after finding the hazards. After tinkering with the conventional putting grip this week, the Spaniard reverted back to ‘the claw’ grip midway through his third round and holed some important putts that kept him in the hunt.

“I just didn't feel as comfortable as the first two days. Hit a couple of putts early on and I just didn't feel that great, so I said, I'll just go back to my go-to kind of grip, and putted quite nicely,” said Garcia, who is seeking a ninth US Tour title.

“I'm going to have to play a little bit better. I'm in contention, so we'll go out and give it our best shot, try to be aggressive, try to be positive.”

  THIRD-ROUND SCORES

   Par 216 (3x72) Yardage: 6,967

204 Kevin Na (USA) 69-68-67, Ryan Moore (USA) 68-69-67.

205 Sergio Garcia (ESP) 69-68-68, Billy Hurley III (USA) 67-67-71.

207 Gary Woodland (USA) 71-70-66, Sang-Moon Bae (SKOR) 71-68-68, Kevin Chappell (USA) 69-68-70, Kevin Streelman (USA) 68-68-71.

208 Brendon de Jonge (ZIM) 70-73-65, Patrick Reed (USA) 70-70-68, Angelo Que (PHI) 67-72-69, Cameron Smith (AUS) 70-69-69, Jeff Overton (USA) 68-69-71.

209 John Senden (AUS) 72-68-69, Prom Meesawat (THA) 68-71-70, Seung-Yul Noh (SKOR) 68-69-72.

210 Davis Love III (USA) 68-71-71.