Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung is on track for his best ever finish in a European Tour event following a third round 69 at the Maybank Championship.
The 28-year-old carded five birdies against two bogeys at Saujana Golf & Country Club’s Palm Course and is currently in joint 13th position on six-under-par, seven shots off the lead held by Spain’s Nacho Elvira. Fung’s best performance in a joint Asian Tour and European Tour event came in this tournament’s inaugural edition in 2016, when he finished joint 24th at Royal Selangor Golf Club.
“I’m very happy with my round today … I’m hitting the ball and putting much better than the first two rounds. There’s still one one day to go so I don’t want to think too much … just go out and play my best,” said Fung, who has one Asian Tour title to his name in the 2017 Queen’s Cup in Thailand.
“The pin placements were much easier today, but of course we still have to putt well to make birdies,” added the bespectacled Sabahan.
Asked if he had any target or gameplan for tomorrow’s final round, Fung replied: “I have no gameplan for tomorrow because we’ve played here many times and we know what the course is like – just don’t get into trouble; that’s the key. Everybody knows the Cobra (the Palm Course) is tough, so just get it on the fairway, get on the greens and make some putts.
“Hopefully I can shoot 62 tomorrow but I don’t want to put so much pressure on myself. I’ve been playing well, I think my game is there, so just go out and enjoy myself – that’s it,” added Fung, referring to his final round 62 in last year’s Indonesian Masters.
Fung credited the presence of his family, who flew in from Kota Kinabalu, and the local support for his solid performance so far. “My parents and fiancee are here, my friends are here and have come out to support me – I think that makes me motivated to play well. And of course having all the Malaysians fans and supporters who came out to cheer for our Malaysian boys – I think that’s the best part!”
Malaysian No 1 Gavin Green also shot 69 and is in joint 30th place on three-under-par.
