Thaindian News

Singapore, Sep 10 (IANS) Brazilian Adilson Da Silva produced some samba with a superb third round five-under-65 to share the third round lead with tenacious Indian Himmat Rai at the ISPS Handa Singapore Classic here Saturday.

The 39-year-old Da Silva, a nine-time winner in South Africa including last weekend, was magnificent at the Orchid Country Club, shooting seven birdies against two bogeys to lead on 10-under-par 200 alongside an equally impressive Rai, who battled blustery conditions to shoot four birdies for an unblemished 66.

South African Jbe Kruger, runner-up here last year and the highest ranked player in the field, charged into contention at the $300,000 Asian Tour event with a 65, highlighted by an inward 29 to lie two back alongside Finnish rookie Kalle Samooja, who carded a 68.

A 67 pushed young Korean Baek Seuk-hyun into fifth place on 203 while veteran Thai Thaworn Wiratchant struggled in the winds for an even par 70 to lie a further shot back with South Africa’s Tjaart van der Walt and Englishman Miles Tunnicliff.

The final round tee times have been brought forward Sunday morning, with the leaders starting at 9.20am due to an expected evening thunderstorm.

After Da Silva dropped bogey on the challenging 501-yard 18th hole which the players were struggling to reach the green, Rai, chasing a first Asian Tour victory, drained a 20-footer par save to ensure he stayed level with the experienced Brazilian.

“It was tremendous. As a professional golfer, you must know every shot counts out here. I was mentally prepared for that putt,” said the 24-year-old Rai, who fired birdies on the second, ninth, 11th and 17th holes.

His best finish on Tour was in 2009 at the Iskandar Johor Open in Malaysia where he also led into the last day and the young Indian hopes to learn from that experience.

“I am confident what I can control which is my routine. Experience is really important. I have got some experience on the Asian Tour playing with the lead. It will definitely help me and I will make a good effort to stick to my processes,” said Rai, who is currently 67th on the Order of Merit with one top-10.

Kruger, with three top-10s this year, has been knocking on the door for a first title in Asia and five birdies on his back nine put him in prime position. But he knows Da Silva will be dangerous Sunday.

“I have been playing well the whole week but I can’t get it into the hole. If I have got the putter going, I could have been 18 or 19 under already. On the back nine, I hit a few close and a few went in. This puts me closer to the leader and gives me a chance,” said the South African.

“But it is a hard task to try and catch Adilson as he putts well. He is not going to come back. He has won more than me and he has been on the tour for almost as old as I am! It is going to be hard to beat him.”