Woodland, Leishman, Sharma share two-shot lead into final round

KUALA LUMPUR: Three golfers, United States’ Gary Woodland, Australia’s Marc Leishman and India’s Shubhankar Sharma accumulated an identical three-day total of 19-under-par 197 at the US$7 million (RM29 million) 2018 CIMB Classic golf championship that is being held at the West Course of TPC Kuala Lumpur here.

Woodland birdied the closing hole for a five-under-par 67 in today’s round to stay in title contention once again.

“This golf course sets up good to my eyes. I’ve been playing well coming in. It’s nice to be in contention and have a chance tomorrow. Excited about my game and where I’m at.

“...Didn’t make as many putts as I did yesterday, but drove the ball well. Kind of got a little loose there a little bit on the back nine, maybe ran out of gas a little, but it was nice to finish up with a birdie and nice to get some momentum going into tomorrow,” said the two-time CIMB Classic runner-up in 2013 and 2014.

Leishman noted that he would continue his fine form and would be aggressive to hit more fairways today.

“There’s some tougher holes on the back nine, for sure, particularly if you’re missing fairways. If you hit it on the fairway, most of the holes are very gettable. If you’re missing them, there are a few holes on the back nine there that are quite tough,” said the 34-year-old, who is chasing his fourth PGA Tour victory.

His best finish at the CIMB Classic was fifth place two years ago.

Leishman had a flawless first-nine with four birdies and an eagle but in his second-nine, he carded a birdie at the 10th hole and later dropped two bogeys, at the 11th and 13th holes, for a 66.

Asian Tour’s top player, Shubhankar, who at one one time led the cast at 20-under managed to pull back to stay in title contention.

The 22-year-old India’s rising star got off to a great start on the front nine where he shot four birdies and made a lot of crucial putts on the back nine.

In the back nine, he added another three birdies but dropped a bogey at the par-three 15th hole.

“I think it’s always important to get off to a good start, but especially on this course where everyone’s just going low.

“...Asia is our home and it’s always good when you’re playing well in front of the home crowd. It was evident today I got a lot of support from people who came out and also on the 18th when I got a standing ovation. So I’m really happy that I’m back and I’ll give it my best tomorrow,” said Shubhankar.

Following two-shot adrift is South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen and opening round leader, Bronson Burgoon of the United States to share fourth place.

While United States’ Austin Cook is in sixth place with a threeday total of 16-under-par 200.

Current world number four and two-time CIMB Classic champion, Justin Thomas shared 19th place on 12-under-par 204 with four other golfers while Malaysia’s number two Ben Leong is in joint 38th place with a three-day total of seven-under-par 209. - Bernama