Lee Westwood has seen his four shot lead cut to one after a final hole bogey on day three of the Maybank Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur.
Westwood, who turns 41 next week, is now just one round away from capturing a second Malaysian Open title since winning the event in 1997 but also ending a near two-year winless drought.
For a third day running Westwood birdied the opening hole of the Kuala Lumpur Golf Club course before dropping a shot with a three-putt bogey at the next hole.
However the current World No. 36, and the highest ranked player in the $US 2.75m event, put that blemish aside to birdie his fifth hole, also for a third day in succession, and then birdie the par three 12th hole.
Lee Westwood has seen his lead cut to one shot with a round to play in the Maybank Malaysian Open. (Photo – www.europeantour.com)
Westwood then posted six straight pars before two-putting the final green for bogey after having to play his approach shot from the slope of a fairway bunker.
“TO FOLLOW
Westwood, who secured his best finish this year with seventh in last week’s Masters, is seeking a 29th pro career success, a second Malaysian Open win since capturing the then Asian Tour title in 1997 along with his first win since victory in the 2012 Nordea Masters.
Also victory would help lift Westwood’s current 20th place standing on the European Ryder Cup points table.
Fellow Englishman Andy Sullivan shot a six under par 66 to move into second place on 13-under par as he seeks a maiden Tour victory.
Frenchman Julien Quesne is third at 10-under par after signing for a 69.
Italy’s Matteo Manassero celebrated his 21st birthday with his best score in the event of a five under par 67 to finish on six under par.
Manassero captured the Malaysian event three years ago in coming from behind to deny Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, and a week after McIlroy shot a final round 80 to lost out in the Masters at Augusta.
The Verona-born golfer was presented with a large chocolate cake before teeing off when the four-time Tour winner reflected on his achievements in a small handful of years on Tour.
“I’ve achieved a lot at a young age, and since I turned pro it’s been great, he said.
“Fortunately I’ve never had spells of struggle or wondering if I have what it takes to get it done, and everything so far has been good. Of course, there have been a few bad moments, but I couldn’t be happier about the decision to turn pro at 17.”
Defending champion Kiradech Aphibarnrat was forced out ahead of the third round with inflammation of his tonsils.
