Lockerbie & Liang Wen-chong top leaderboard

China’s top golfer Liang Wen-chong continued his chase for a maiden title when he was tied for the lead with England’s Gary Lockerbie at the Clariden Leu Singapore Masters on Saturday.

Liang fired a four-under-par 68 which included a birdie on the final 18th hole for a 12-under-par 204 total together with Lockerbie who carded a 69 at the Laguna National Golf and Country Club.

India’s Jyoti Randhawa, who has won six titles on the Asian Tour, remained in the hunt when he was even-par for the day a stroke off the pace at the Masters Course. After a flying start with birdies in the first four holes, Malaysia’s Iain Steel ended his day with a 71 in joint fourth place with Ireland’s Peter Lawrie who fired his second consecutive 70. Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee, who is ranked ninth on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit, scored his third straight 69 for a 207 together with England’s Simon Dyson who fired his best round of 67 in tied sixth place.

After a bogey on the first hole, Liang, 29, shrugged off his shaky start with a birdie on the second and fourth holes. He was in the leading fray when he fired three more birdies against another dropped shot. Liang then enjoyed a crucial 20 foot birdie putt on the final hole to place him alongside Lockerbie.

“I’m really happy. It was the first time I played the Masters Course in this tournament yesterday where I putted really well. I’m glad that it was the same today,” said Liang.

“My main goal was to be in the final grouping. That was what I was gunning for and I’m happy that I did it. As for tomorrow, all I want to do is to just enjoy the atmosphere out on course.

“I’ve been in this position before in Philippines going in the final group and I’m going to take it easy now, not pressure myself and see what the outcome is,” he added.

After a roller coaster performance in day three, Lockerbie was pleased to be tied for the lead as he shot seven birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey that included a final dropped shot at the 18th hole.

“I would definitely have taken being tied for the lead after today. I would have taken 69 today as well so I am just going to forget about what happened at the last. I think the birdie down the 17th was a bit of a bonus anyway so that is what happens,” said Lockerbie.

“As for tomorrow, I will just try to get off to a steady start, not try to do anything fancy because I don’t think it is going to be a really low score which wins tomorrow, if I can knock it round in three or four under tomorrow I’m not going to be far away,” added the 24-year-old Englishman.

India’s Randhawa, who is expecting his first child this month, battled the tricky conditions as he shot four birdies against an equal number of bogeys.

“I think it got tougher than yesterday. The wind was much stronger and it wouldn’t let up. It was also very gusty and on a few shots I thought the wind would pop up and it didn’t and my ball went over the green so you have to be careful out there,” said Randhawa.

Despite blazing past the front nine with five birdies on the front nine, Malaysia’s Steel struggled through the back nine with two birdies, four bogeys and a double bogey for a 71.

“I was really good on the front nine but the back nine was a nightmare. But all in all, if you gave me that score in the beginning of the day considering the weather and the wind, I am happy,” said Steel, who is also aiming for his first ever title on the Asian Tour.