MACAu: Australian long hitter Scott Hend stormed into the lead following the third round of the Macau Open yesterday with a blistering eight-under-par 63 to open up a four-shot lead over Ernie Els.
The South African four-time major winner’s chances of taking the top spot at the $800,000 tournament took a hit after Hend charged up the leaderboard with an eagle and seven birdies against a lone bogey for a three-day total of 12-under-par 201.
Els had a good start to the third round, scoring birdies on two of his first three holes.
But he struggled to maintain his early form with dropped shots on 14 and 16, eventually battling to a third round 69 and an overall score of 205.
He is currently placed in joint second with rising Bangladeshi newcomer Mohammad Siddikur who had been the tournament leader at the halfway point but dropped away from the lead after shooting 70 in the third round.
Speaking afterwards, Els said the tournament was still wide open going into the final day as he, Hend and Siddikur battle it out for the top spot. AFP
