Harrington charges into five-shot lead at Iskandar Johor Open
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Lin, a five-time Asian Tour winner, lost his trademark putting touch as he struggled on the greens to shoot three birdies against as many bogeys. But the 36-year-old from Taipei is not discounting a fightback on Sunday.
"I missed too many short putts for birdie or par. Everything was okay. Putting was good but it didn't go in on five holes. When the putts don't go in, you feel tired. When you walk, you feel tired. But over the last four holes, I had some short putts for birdies," said Lin.
"Maybe there is a chance tomorrow. The greens are very difficult. If I hit it good, then we'll have a chance. Yesterday, I hit seven under (in the third round) and I'll try to do that again tomorrow."
Veteran Mardan was solid with three birdies against a lone bogey. "I feel good. Nothing much happened but it was okay. I just want to concentrate and enjoy my game tomorrow. I'm okay, feel good. Just want to play well. I just kept patient and played my own game," said the Singaporean.
Noh and Kiradech, two of Asia's rising stars, were resigned to playing for second place in the final round after falling seven shots back of Harrington in the Iskandar Johor Open.
Nothing much went right for the 19-year-old Noh, who found water once as he signed for a card with four birdies against three bogeys. "I made it tough for myself. My game wasn't good and I was hitting a lot of shots into trouble. It was terrible, it was going both ways. Maybe I am a bit tired as this is my sixth tournament in a row. I'll need to rest up tonight and after this week, take a short break as well. I think we're playing for second place tomorrow," said the reigning Maybank Malaysian Open champion.
Kiradech rued a cold putter, especially a putt at the last for eagle which stopped at the lip. The burly Thai stormed out with a 33 but swapped two birdies against two bogeys coming home as his bid for a first Asian Tour victory stalled.
"I've hit it good for three rounds but my putting, I'm missing a few. It's tough to read the lines. I think the lead is too much for us. I think we'll be playing for second place tomorrow. Harrington is playing the best golf. The pins are tough but he's still shooting five or six under every day. I'll try to get second now," said the 21-year-old Kiradech.
Defending champion K.J. Choi of Korea shot a 69 to move up to a share of seventh place on 209 with Europe's victorious Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie, who equaled his year's best round of 68. South African star Retief Goosen was a further shot back in tied 15th following a 69.
The Iskandar Johor Open is shown live on the Asian Tour's television platform which reaches over 40 countries worldwide.
The main sponsor of the Iskandar Johor Open is the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA). It is also supported by platinum sponsor - UEM Land Holdings Berhad, the master developer of Nusajaya which is a key driver of Iskandar Malaysia and hosted by the Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club. Other co-sponsors include 100 Plus, Auto Bavaria Johor Bahru, Blackberry, Heineken, Kuok Brothers Sdn. Bhd, Pulai Springs Resort, Ricoh, Srixon, TaylorMade-adidas Golf, Telekom Malaysia, Titoni and Winston Wine. The official media partners are Fairways, Golf Malaysia and ParGolf. The tournament is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Johor Golf Association.
For more information on the tournament please visit - www.iskandarjohoropen.com.
Leading third round scores
199 - Padraig Harrington (IRL) 64-67-68
204 - Lin Wen-tang (TPE) 67-65-72
205 - Mardan Mamat (SIN) 68-67-70
206 - Noh Seung-yul (KOR) 66-69-71, Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 64-73-69
208 - Scott Barr (AUS) 67-70-71
209 - Scott Hend (AUS) 68-67-74, Prayad Marksaeng (THA) 67-69-73, Jason Knutzon (USA) 70-66-73, Chawalit Plaphol (THA) 71-67-71, Marcus Both (AUS) 64-74-71, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 67-71-71, K.J. Choi (KOR) 70-70-69, Colin Montgomerie (SCO) 70-71-68
210 - Lee Sung (KOR) 66-68-76, Kwanchai Tannin (THA) 69-70-71, Frankie Minoza
(PHI) 72-68-70, Retief Goosen (RSA) 68-73-69, Siddikur (BAN) 70-72-68
For further information, please contact the Asian Tour's Chuah Choo Chiang at the Iskandar Johor Open media centre tel: +6-7 232 8164. Also visit www.asiantour.com for live scoring this week.
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