Published on October 13, 2018

Sharma Shares Top Spot at the CIMB Classic

Shubhankar Sharma of India plays his shot on the eighth tee during round three of the CIMB Classic at TPC Kuala Lumpur on October 13, 2018, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)

Shubhankar Sharma of India produced a gutsy six-under-par 66 to share the third round lead on Saturday and put himself in prime position to become the first Asian to win the US$7 million CIMB Classic.

The 22-year-old produced some solid golf as he shared top spot with two-time CIMB Classic runner-up Gary Woodland, who missed his eagle on the last for a 67, and Australia’s Marc Leishman (67) on 19-under-par 197s.

Major champion and 2012 Malaysian Open winner Louis Oosthuizen registered a sparkling 65 to lie two shots back with round one leader Bronson Burgoon, who shot a 67 at the TPC Kuala Lumpur.

Sharma, the current Asian Tour number one, was fast off the blocks when he birdied holes two, three, five and seven before trading three birdies and one bogey on his homeward nine.

The Indian will enter the final 18 holes with high confidence in the country where he won his second Asian Tour title in February. This will be the second time in 2018 Sharma is in contention for a PGA TOUR title. He led by two shots heading into the final round of the WGC- Mexico Champion before settling for tied ninth.

“I would say it was a great scoring round, feeling I can still hit it better.  Maybe yesterday was a better ball striking round compared to today, but on this golf course you have to really get into that zone and I’ve been able to do that for the past three days and that’s why I’ve been scoring really well.  But I still feel like there are a few changes I can make and come back strong tomorrow,” said Sharma

He added, “Good thing is that I’ve been in this position before and I’m in it again.  But the good thing also is that we’re in Asia and I’m going to get a lot of support from all the fans.  I know what to do and what not to do, so I’ll just try and relax as much as possible and come back tomorrow strong.

“Asia is our home and it’s always good when you’re playing well in front of home crowd.  It was evident today I got a lot of support from people who came out and also on the 18th when I got a good ovation.  So I’m really happy that I’m back and I’ll give it my best tomorrow.”

Woodland, a three-time PGA TOUR winner, is determined to shed his bridesmaid tag at the CIMB Classic after trading six birdies and one bogey. He finished second in the 2013 and 2014 tournaments.

Gary Woodland of the United States during the third round of the 2018 CIMB Classic at TPC KUALA LUMPUR on October 13, 201,8 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Azmi Othman/PGA Tour)

“I didn’t make as many putts as I did yesterday, but drove the ball well.  Kind of got a little loose there a little bit on the back nine, maybe ran out of gas a little, but it was nice to finish up with a birdie and nice to get some momentum going into tomorrow.

“I love this golf course, I love coming here, the people are great, food’s great, the golf course is phenomenal.  They’ve done a phenomenal job with the redo.  It’s in as good of shape as I’ve ever seen.  Sets up for a great day tomorrow and hopefully, we can go out and have a good round, see what happens.

“You’re going to have to make birdies.  The golf course is in great shape, the weather’s been perfect, so if that all stays the same, we’re going to have to go out and be aggressive and make some birdies,” said Woodland.

Marc Leishman of Australia acknowledges the crowd after round three of the CIMB Classic at TPC Kuala Lumpur on October 13, 2018, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)

Leishman opened with a birdie, birdie, eagle before adding three more birdies in his first 10 holes. He slipped back when he bogeyed holes 11 and 13 to enter the final round tied at the top of the leaderboard.

Malaysia’s Ben Leong who played with Major champion Stewart Cink posted a one-under 71 for 7-under 209. He is tied in the 38thposition with Japan’s Satoshi Kodaira and Major champion Jason Dufner.

“I had a good start. Struggled a bit on the back nine again. I don’t know, it’s becoming a trend now. Wasn’t always good for me. Under par on this golf course is always good. One more day to go tomorrow, so hopefully, I can push up the leaderboard, “ said Leong who admitted that it has been a pretty up and down week so far.

The other Malaysian Jeremiah Kim Leung Kwang posted a six-over score for a three day total of 14-over 230.

 

Scores after round 3 of the CIMB Classic being played at the par 72, 7005 Yards TPC Kuala Lumpur course (am – denotes amateur):

197 – Gary Woodland (USA) 69-61-67, Marc Leishman (AUS) 68-62-67, Shubhankar Sharma (IND) 67-64-66.

199 – Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) 66-68-65, Bronson Burgoon (USA) 63-69-67.

200 – Austin Cook (USA) 64-68-68.

201 – Stewart Cink (USA) 68-70-63, Charles Howell III (USA) 69-67-65, Chesson Hadley (USA) 67-68-66, J.B. Holmes (USA) 67-67-67, Emiliano Grillo (ARG) 66-68-67, Nick Watney (USA) 66-67-68.

202 – Kevin Na (USA) 68-67-67, Paul Casey (ENG) 66-65-71.

203 – Beau Hossler (USA) 72-65-66, Abraham Ancer (MEX) 67-68-68, Joel Dahmen (USA) 66-68-69, Scott Piercy (USA) 65-67-71.

204 – Cameron Smith (AUS) 69-69-66, Siwoo Kim (KOR) 67-71-66, Justin Thomas (USA) 66-69-69, Byeonghun An (KOR) 66-70-68, Kevin Chappell (USA) 66-67-71.

205 – Xander Schauffele (USA) 69-71-65, John Catlin (USA) 73-65-67, Keegan Bradley (USA) 70-67-68.

206 – Ernie Els (RSA) 68-72-66, Kyle Stanley (USA) 72-68-66, Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) 69-69-68, Keith Mitchell (USA) 70-65-71.

207 – Ryan Palmer (USA) 68-69-70, Billy Horschel (USA) 65-69-73.

 

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