Joint leader, Denwit Boriboonsub of Thailand
Shahriffuddin Ariffin underlined his status as Malaysia’s rising star when he carded a 5-under 66 to take a two-stroke lead with Denwit Boriboonsub of Thailand into tomorrow’s final round of the PKNS Selangor Masters.
Denwit, the overnight joint leader with Malaysian Amir Nazrin, played steady golf and finished with a three-under 68. Veteran Danny Chia rolled back the years as he carded a four-under 67 to lie joint third with Filipino Lloyd Jefferson Go on 207.
Danny got the crowd working with an amazing par save on the 18th, after a wayward drive into the tall grass left of the fairway. He could only chip out onto the fairway and was left with 140 metres to the pin which was located on a treacherous plateau. Danny took dead aim and his third shot ended up just 30 inches away.
Amir registered four birdies against two bogeys and a double for a two-over 73, dropping down to solo sixth on 210, five strokes behind the leaders. “I tried to stay patient but ended up struggling especially on the greens. But it’s okay, I’m only five strokes behind and anything can happen,” said the 25-year old currently ranked 33rd on the Asian Development Tour Order of Merit.
Danny Chia of Malaysia
Shahriffuddin meanwhile played exceptionally well over the first 13 holes, creating four birdies on the front nine, adding a birdie on the 10th before carving a splendid eagle three on the Par 5 13th hole.
“I hit a good drive and was left with about 197 metres to the pin.” Shahriffuddin then smoked a 5-iron to two feet for a simple tap-in. He was seven-under for the day at that point.
“I’m pleased to be leading this tournament. I struck the ball better today while the pins were easier to get at compared to yesterday.” Bogeys on the 14th and 18th stalled his advancement, but Shahriffuddin said he was confident of doing well.
“I just need to try and stick to my game plan of finding as many fairways as I can and reaching the greens in regulation. The birdies will come.” Shahriffuddin is aiming to earn a Asian Tour card for the new season next year and a strong finish will strengthen his current 7th placing on the ADT OOM rankings.
After this he will have a week’s break before preparing for two events in Saudi Arabia followed by the season-ending Taifong Open in Chinese Taipei on Christmas Day.
Shariffuddin is grouped with Denwit and Lloyd, both of whom he has played with this year – Denwit in Pattaya and twice with Lloyd in Indonesia. “We’re all friends, of course, but tomorrow it’ll be different,” added Shahriffuddin.
Ahead of them in the penultimate flight are Chia, Amir and Australian Jack Murdoch.
The main sponsors of the Selangor Masters are the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS), Gamuda Land, Menteri Besar Incorporated, Permodalan Nasional Selangor Berhad and Selgate Corporation.
Leading Third Round Scores
205 Shahriffuddin Ariffin (MAS) 67-72-66, Denwit Boriboonsub (THA) 67-70-68
207 Lloyd Jefferson Go (PHI) 68-73-66, Danny Chia (MAS) 70-70-67,
209 Jack Murdoch (AUS) 70-68-71
210 Amir Nazrin (MAS) 65-72-73
211 Suteepat Prateeptienchai (THA) 71-75-65
212 Gregory Foo (SIN) 70-68-74
