Trio top leaderboard into final round

Title holder Jyoti Randhawa and Marcus Both brilliantly battled their way into the joint lead with overnight pacesetter Shiv Kapur after a super-charged third round in the US$600,000 Volvo Masters of Asia on Saturday.

India 's Randhawa blitzed his back nine with five birdies for a five-under-par 67 at Thai Country Club where his three-day total of 15-under-par 201 was matched by Australia 's Both, who carded a superb 66 and overnight leader Kapur, who shot a 68.

Thailand's smooth swinger Chawalit Plaphol eagled twice en route to a 67 for fourth place, five strokes behind the leading trio while Andrew Buckle of Australia and upcoming Thai, Chapchai Nirat shared fifth on 207 after firing 70 and 68 respectively.

In what is the grand finale of a magnificent Asian Tour season, Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand virtually sealed the Order of Merit title when his only challenger and compatriot Thongchai Jaidee, last year's number one, stumbled to 31st place after a disappointing 75.

Thongchai needs to finish no lower than second place at the Volvo Masters of Asia to have a chance of toppling Thaworn, who is tied 15th after his week's best of 67.

It was the leading trio who provided all the fireworks with some wonderful golf. Australia 's Both, twice a runner-up this season, set the clubhouse target before being joined by Kapur and Randhawa.

Randhawa, Asia 's number one in 2002, had a birdie putt of six feet at the last for the sole lead but agonisingly missed the opportunity. "I knew I had that to get into the lead and instead of thinking what I had to do, my mind jumped on me," said Randhawa, who won last year's title in a play-off.

"I started a bit shaky, bogeying the second (with a three putt) but I gathered myself and I am pretty satisfied with five under. I enjoyed playing with Shiv. He is a good player. We learned from each other and in a way challenged each other to make birdies."

The champion turned in even par with two birdies against two bogeys before putting his foot on the pedal with five birdies on the home straight. Randhawa and Kapur matched each other blow for blow, and hit some breathtaking shots for easy birdies.

"After nine I walked past the leaderboard and saw I was 10 under and realised I needed to make a move. Fortunately I did and that has put me in a good position for tomorrow," said Randhawa.

Kapur showed his growing credentials yet again by matching his more illustrious compatriot. The 23-year-old rookie nailed some glorious irons close to the pins on the inward nine where his longest birdie putt was from 15 feet.

"I think we fed off each other and Jyoti played fantastic golf on the back nine. I think anytime your partner plays well, it feeds into your own game," said Kapur.

The young Indian, who has held at least a share of the lead since the opening day, dropped a bogey on the second hole after a three putt, his first this week, before starting to fire on all cylinders with five birdies over his last 10 holes.

His shot of the day was on 15 when he nailed an eight iron from out of a bunker to two feet. "I was happy with that. I got it into the bunker yesterday as well and walking up today, I told my caddie at least I know how to hit the shot now and I took dead aim at the flag and hit it to two feet.

"I started off slow and didn't get anything going. I stayed patient and knew the putts will eventually fall. And it did happen on nine and that was a good positive start for the back nine," said Kapur, whose rookie year includes five top-10s and a play-off loss in the Double A International Open in Thailand last month.

After being rookie of the year in 2003 with one win, Both is looking for a second Asian Tour title and was near brilliant with matching halves of 33s. He rolled in several snaky putts and finished off in style by draining an eight-footer on 18.

"All in all I am quite happy. Realistically, I cannot control what anyone else is doing - I will just try and play a solid round of golf again. Tournaments are won and lost over 72 holes and I will just play as well as I possibly can tomorrow," said Both, who lost in a play-off to Prayad Marksaeng in the Crowne Plaza Open in Beijing earlier this season.

Thongchai virtually surrendered his Order of Merit title to Thaworn after a round that included five bogeys. "It will be very difficult now," said Thongchai. "I have been pushing really hard and it feels like the whole season is finally catching up on me."

With a record four titles in the bag this year, Thaworn came alive with seven birdies but is not thinking of popping the champagne just yet. "I hit it good today. I am trying not to think about the Order of Merit. If I do well, I should end the year as number one."

Malaysia 's Danny Chia, meanwhile, was disqualified after signing for an incorrect score today. He entered a wrong score on the par five 17th hole and should have signed for a 72, instead of a 71.

Leading third round scores

201 - Marcus Both (AUS) 69-66-66, Shiv Kapur ( IND ) 66-67-68, Jyoti Randhawa ( IND ) 70-64-67

206 - Chawalit Plaphol (THA) 69-70-67

207 - Chapchai Nirat (THA) 71-68-68, Andrew Buckle (AUS) 66-71-70

208 - Zhang Lian-wei (CHN) 72-66-70

209 - Frankie Minoza (PHI) 70-74-65, Prom Meesawat (THA) 67-72-70, Simon Yates (SCO) 71-69-69, Lu Wen-teh (TPE) 71-67-71, Adam Fraser (AUS) 68-69-72

210 - Ted Oh (KOR) 68-73-69, Terry Pilkadaris (AUS) 69-71-70

211 - Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 71-73-67, Wang Ter-chang (TPE) 71-71-69

212 - Prayad Marksaeng (THA) 72-72-68, Gary Simpson (AUS) 69-71-72, Scott Strange (AUS) 70-69-73

213 - Mo Joong-kyung (KOR) 74-68-71, Jason Knutzon (USA) 70-70-73

214 - Anthony Kang (USA) 68-76-70, Kang Wook-soon (KOR) 71-73-70, Gary Rusnak (USA) 74-70-70, Boonchu Ruangkit (THA) 70-72-72, Thammanoon Srirot (THA) 68-73-73

215 - Ron Won ( USA ) 70-72-73, Gaurav Ghei ( IND ) 72-69-74, Edward Loar ( USA ) 71-70-74, Rick Gibson (CAN) 73-68-74

216 - Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 70-71-75, Richard Moir (AUS) 69-72-75

217 - Unho Park (AUS) 73-76-68, Liang Wen-chong (CHN) 74-75-68, Adam Blyth (AUS) 73-75-69, Lin Keng-chi (TPE) 73-72-72, Richard Lee (NZL) 73-71-73, Mahal Pearce (NZL) 70-73-74

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