Chapchai Charges into Clubhouse Lead

11/16/2008

Thailand's Chapchai Nirat surged into a two-stroke lead at the US$5 million Barclays Singapore Open with a host of big names lurking when the third round was suspended due to fading light on Saturday.

Padraig Harrington, a double Major winner this season, charged into contention with a superb 66 for the clubhouse lead on five-under-par 208.

Phil Mickelson also made his move by playing 14 holes in four under to lie four back with Ernie Els who was one over through 11 holes.

India's Jeev Milkha Singh and Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland were also five under for the tournament through 14 and 11 holes respectively.

Bjorn, a former Ryder Cup star for Europe, quietly moved up the leaderboard with five birdies against a lone bogey through 12 holes.

Asian specialist Dyson, winner of the Asian Tour's Order of Merit in 2000 during his rookie professional season, stayed in the title hunt but conceded he was struggling with the delays caused by inclement weather over the past two days.

World number three Mickelson completed his second round in 68 early in the morning and kept up his good form with an eagle and two birdies over 14 holes of his third round.

Leaderboard – Round 3:

1.   Chapchai Nirat                  THA  70 68 65 203 -10
2.   Chih Bing Lam                   SIN  67 71 68 206 - 7
3.   Thomas Bjorn                   DEN  72 67 68 207 - 6
      Ernie Els                           SAF  66 70 71 207 - 6
      Simon Dyson                    ENG  69 67 71 207 - 6
      Phil Mickelson                   USA  73 68 66 207 - 6
7.   Jeev Milkha Singh              IND  73 68 67 208 - 5
      Padraig Harrington             IRL  72 70 66 208 - 5
      Charlie Wi                        KOR  70 71 67 208 - 5
10. Charl Schwartzel                 SAF  71 69 69 209 - 4

Source: Asian Tour