Australian Marc Leishman, American Gary Woodland and India’s rising star Shubhankar Sharma share the lead heading into the final round of the CIMB Classic in Malaysia.
Leishman protected his position at the top of the leaderboard overnight following a 67, which included an eagle at the third after finding a bunker in a fast start, to sit at 19 under.
The 22-year-old Sharma, meanwhile, who is trying to become the first Asian champion of the tournament, said three birdies in the first five holes and his par save on the eight were crucial.
“I think it’s always important to get off to a good start, especially on this course where everyone’s just going low. You have to have your foot on the pedal from the first hole and I was happy that I could make a few birdies of my own in the first five holes,” said Sharma, who led after the second and third rounds of the WGC-Mexico Championship earlier in the year before finishing tied ninth.
Woodland had been in a share of the halfway lead following an 11-under-par 61 to tie the course record on Friday.
The American looked to have seen his hopes of keeping in front ended after a costly bogey at the 14th, but then picked up a shot on the par-five final hole, just missing an eagle chance, to finish at five-under for the round.
South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen moved up to a tie for fourth place with a 65 to leave him at 17 under alongside American Bronson Burgoon.
Veteran American Stewart Cink, 45, fired himself into contention with a flawless 63 to tie for seventh, four off the lead, after nine birdies.
England’s Paul Casey had been just one stroke off the lead at the halfway stage, making his first start since helping Europe regain the Ryder Cup in Paris.
Casey, though, dropped some 10 places on Saturday following a 71 to end at 14 under after bogeys at the 11th and 15th.
Justin Thomas, aiming to win the event for the third time in four years, is some seven shots off the lead after a hitting a second straight 69.
