Singapore: Matt Kuchar of the United States showed his star power by signing for a nine-under-par 62 to take a three-shot lead into the final round of the Singapore Open yesterday.
Kuchar's third round masterclass would have been the course record if not for the preferred lies ruling in play at the Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club where the US$1 million event, sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO), is being held this week.
Kuchar, the 2016 Olympic Games bronze medallist and a nine-time winner on the PGA Tour, kept the galleries enthralled from start to finish with four birdies on his front-nine, followed by another five on his inward-nine for a three-day total of 17-under-par 196.
Defending champion Jazz Janewattananond returned with a 67 to share second place with the Philippines' Miguel Tabuena, who posted a 66 to remain on course to surpass his previous best finish of tied-fourth at the 2016 edition of the Singapore Open.
South Korean teen sensation Kim Joo-Hyung remained steady under pressure as he sunk a 15-footer to save par on the last hole to keep himself in contention for his second Asian Tour title.
The 17-year-old's third round 67 meant he will start his final round four shots back of Kuchar in a share of fourth place with Canada's Richard T Lee, who posted a 65 for a 200 total.
"It was a great day. I had a good time as I got off to a great start with birdies in the first two holes. That was a great way to start, back-to-back birdies, kind of tied for the lead there and just kept playing some good golf, it was fun," Kuchar said.
He said he was proud to have won an Olympic medal.
"I really enjoyed being able to share the medal. Being an Olympic medallist, being able to bring around and share it with people, it's been a real source of pride and something I really enjoy being -- an Olympic medallist," said Kuchar, who finished behind champion Justin Rose and silver winner Henrik Stenson at the 2016 Rio Games.
Jazz said: "I had a very slow start today as nothing was really going my way in my front-nine, but I am still happy with the score.
"It would be great [to successfully defend title], but Kuchar's in for it right now and I see his score and it will be fun on the last day. Let's see if I can perform my best in the final round.
"I am really excited to play with Matt. Last year I was up against many world class players and I won this event.
"This year, he [Kuchar] is world class too. It will be interesting to see how he does too."