2008 Maybank Malaysian Open - Round 3: Hedblom's 65 on course for title defence

Title holder Peter Hedblom surged into a two-shot lead after firing a flawless seven-under-par 65 in the third round of the Maybank Malaysian Open on Saturday.

The Swede produced a wonderful back nine performance on a sweltering day at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club to lead with his three-day total of 17-under-par 199 from Argentine Daniel Vancsik, who charged into contention with a masterful 64.

India’s Jyoti Randhawa stayed in touch with a battling 70 to lie three back in joint third place alongside England’s Simon Dyson, who fired a bogey free 67, and Soren Kjeldsen of Denmark who returned a 69 in the US$2 million event sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.

Hedblom, who won the title on a different venue last season, turned in 34 before romping home in 31, courtesy of three successive birdies from the 11th hole and back-to-back birdies over his closing two holes.

“It has been a good defence so far, so hopefully I can continue to play like I did today and putt like I did. Then it will be a really good defence,” said the smiling Swede, whose wife and family members are here leading the cheering squad this week.

“Last year was the first time I played good in Malaysia. Everything comes together this week. So far it has been good but I don’t know why. I don’t normally play well in hot weather but the last two years have been good.

“Two shot lead, you want to get as big a lead as possible as you can shoot a low score round here but I am happy with the position I am in, in the front. I hope I can continue to make birdies tomorrow.”

Vancsik, who won for the first time last season, set himself up for a second career title with a flying start in his third round. He eagled the first hole after firing a three iron to a foot of the flag. After adding two more birdies against a lone bogey on the outward nine, he charged home in 31.

“I played really well today. I made a few putts which helps the confidence on these greens,” said the 30-year-old Argentine. “I didn’t strike the ball well but putted well on the greens, different to last week (where he finished tied ninth in India).”

Randhawa, the Asian Tour number one in 2002, returned to the course this morning to complete two holes for a second round 65 and for the joint halfway lead. After a wobble on his front nine of the third round, the Indian, who has finished in the top-10 of his last three Asian Tour tournaments, fought back with four birdies on his homeward journey.

The Indian star, who is hoping to improve on his current 72nd world ranking in hope of getting into the top-50 and a place in the US Masters next month, said: “As long as I’m knocking on the door, I’m just waiting for it to open one day. That’s what I’m doing right now. I will hang it there and see what happens.”

With a storm looming on the horizon as the last group were finishing the 18th hole, Randhawa, a six-time winner on the Asian Tour, said he was delighted to complete the round as he had to return earlier today to finish his second round.

“Yes, the referee was standing there and said that we had a choice to either finish the round, or go in. I decided to finish the hole and it was good to end with a birdie,” said Randhawa, who won the 2004 Volvo Masters of Asia at Kota Permai.

“I didn’t hit the ball too well as I wanted to make the scores. On the back nine, I just played golf and I managed good shots in so I’m happy with that. I can now go out with all guns blazing and do my best. I will take the positives and see what I can do tomorrow.”

Dyson, who has tasted four victories in Asia, said the sauna-like conditions which saw the temperature rise to 32 degrees Celsius was a tough challenge. But the Englishman, who drank a bottle of water at every hole, showed that his game was equally hot with five birdies on the card.

“There were a lot of missed chances out there. It could have been a good six or seven shots better without doing anything much different really,” said Dyson, who won the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2000.

“It’s nice to get back into contention again and I like playing in Malaysia and we’ll see what happens tomorrow.”

Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke enjoyed a blistering 29 on his front nine before cooling off to settle for a 67 which moved him into a share of sixth place on 204 alongside Asian Tour regular Scott Barr of Australia, South African Charl Schwartzel and joint overnight leader Nick Dougherty of England.

Dougherty struggled on the greens as he settled for a 72 to end the day five back while Malaysia’s Danny Chia, who was also tied for the overnight lead, stumbled badly with an 80 to slip down the leaderboard.

Leading third round scores (click here for full leaderboard):

199 - Peter Hedblom (SWE) 66-68-65
201 - Daniel Vancsik (ARG) 65-72-64
202 - Simon Dyson (ENG) 64-71-67, Soren Kjeldsen (DEN) 65-68-69, Jyoti Randhawa (IND) 67-65-70
204 - Darren Clarke (NIR) 69-68-67, Charl Schwartzel (RSA) 71-66-67, Scott Barr (AUS) 68-68-68, Nick Dougherty (ENG) 62-70-72
205 - Graeme Mcdowell (NIR) 66-68-71
206 - Arjun Atwal (IND) 70-68-68, Kane Webber (AUS) 67-71-68, Raphael Jacquelin (FRA) 68-69-69, Carlos Rodiles (ESP) 66-69-71
207 - David Frost (RSA) 70-67-70, Mardan Mamat (SIN) 72-65-70, Chinnarat Phadungsil (THA) 67-70-70, Felipe Aguilar (CHI) 70-70-67, Graeme Storm (ENG) 69-68-70, Francesco Molinari (ITA) 67-69-71, Martin Erlandsson (SWE) 69-67-71, Robert-Jan Derksen (NLD) 66-69-72

March 8, 2008

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