Bogeys on the final two holes put paid to Australian Nick O’Hern’s dominance at the Singapore Masters allowing India’s Arjun Atwal to assume the leading role at the end of the third day.
Having led the first two days, O'Hern squandered his advantage with a level par round and trails Atwal by one shot, who leads on a 10-under par total of 206 after today’s 67.
"It’s just a question of not trying to get ahead of yourself, which is what I did at the 17th and 18th," said the left-hander O’Hern who is still in search of his first European Tour win.
Atwal had the better fortune of closing with a birdie in his low round of the day at the Laguna Golf Club, but he too, made an error on the 17th:
"The tee shot on the 17th was the worst shot I have hit all week. I should have hit a three iron but choked down on the two. I hit it fat and had no chance. But I made a great putt for bogey," explained the 28-year-old.
In the two months since claiming his full Tour card, Atwal has already been in contention by leading two Asian PGA Tour events going into the final day but failed to complete the task of winning.
"I just want to stick to my game plan - keep hitting solid shots and make the putts," said the European Tour rookie.
"Lately I have been let down by wrong club selection but I am learning fast. Similar things happened in Myanmar and Delhi," he said referring to his recent near misses.
Jim Johnson, the little known American, is still in the mix after his level par 72 left him in third on eight-under while Nick Faldo is two shots further back on six-under.
The six-times major winner lost ground with a one-over 73 but considering his vast experience compared to those ahead of him, Faldo is capable of mounting a final day challenge from four shots back.
additional reporting by AFP