Thaworn, Rodgers & Chia top leaderboard

The trio of Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant, Chris Rodgers of England and Malaysia's Danny Chia finished tied for the lead after contrasting third rounds at the Carlsberg Masters 2005 Vietnam presented by Thai Airways International on Saturday

The trio lead the US$200,000 Asian Tour event on six-under-par 210 at Chi Linh Star Golf and Country Club, three shots clear of Japan 's Yoshinobu Tsukada. A further shot back were Filipino veteran Frankie Minoza and Hong Kong 's James Stewart.

Rodgers and Chia joined overnight leader Thaworn for the lead after carding rounds of three-under-par 69 and 70 respectively. Thaworn, the current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader, endured a topsy turvy day with a 72 which included four birdies against as many bogeys.

Despite staying in the lead for the second straight day, Thaworn, who is chasing a fourth victory this season, remained cautious of his chances because of the windy and chilly conditions prevailing in Hanoi .

“It was the same thing again today. I am not happy because it is not only cold and windy but my game was also inconsistent,” said Thaworn.

The in-form Thai bogeyed the second holed followed by birdies at the fourth and fifth. But he continued to suffer a roller-coaster day when he struck three more bogeys and two birdies to finish the day on level par.

Malaysia 's Chia, the first round leader, will be aiming to take it one step at a time in his bid to win the Carlsberg Masters Vietnam. After managing three birdies and a bogey, the big-hitting Malaysian, who is battling to retain his full playing privileges on the Asian Tour, aims to stay calm and collected in the heat of battle.

“My game was good but I got a bit excited on the back nine for some reason and lost concentration,” said Chia.

“I am happy to be where I am and as for tomorrow, I want to take it a step at a time and not lose concentration like what happened today,” he said.

Rodgers made a strong title charge. The Englishman did not have the best of starts with bogeys on the opening two holes. Undeterred, Rodgers reeled in four straight birdies from the fourth before dropping a bogey on 13. He ended the day with a flourish, shooting birdies at the last two holes, including a chip-in birdie on the 17th hole.

“I enjoyed myself out there and had a great time with my playing partners Chia and Stewart,” said Rodgers, who is looking for his first Asian Tour title. "I had a bad start but I came back with some good putts. One of the most memorable shots was the great chip in on the 17th which was from 15 yards out."

Despite a great start where he eagled his opening hole, Minoza, the co-halfway leader, failed to keep pace, dropping five shots on his inward nine for a disappointing 76. He will enter the last round tied with Stewart, who shot a 73, four behind the lead.

Local hero and Manila SEA Games bound amateur golfer Hunyh Van Son finished in a tie for 56th position when he carded a third round 76.

Round 3 Results

210 - Danny Chia (MAS) 66-74-70, Chris Rodgers (ENG) 67-74-69, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 72-66-72

213 - Yoshinobu Tsukada (JPN) 69-71-73

214 - James Stewart (HKG) 70-71-73, Frankie Minoza (PHI) 70-68-76

216 - Seuk Jong-Ryul (KOR) 71-74-71

217 - Simon Yates (SCO) 71-74-72, Mukesh Kumar ( IND ) 72-73-72, Firoz Ali ( IND ) 75-68-74

218 - Vivek Bhandari (IND) 78-71-69, Richard Backwell (AUS) 71-75-72, Akinori Tani (JPN) 71-75-72, Anthony Kang (USA) 75-71-72, Amandeep Johl (IND) 75-70-73

Somkiet Srisanga (THA) 71-70-77

219 - Lin Chie-Hsiang (TPE) 71-75-73, Dean Alaban (AUS) 71-74-74, Ron Won ( USA ) 71-73-75

220 - Cookie Lao (PHI) 75-74-71, Chapchai Nirat (THA) 72-78-70, Jason Dawes (AUS) 76-72-72, Adam Groom (AUS) 71-75-74, Chris Travers (AUS) 72-73-75

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