England’s Simon Dyson is taking the tournament title to heart and enjoying himself as he goes into the final round of the Enjoy Jakarta HSBC Indonesia Open tied for the lead with Australian Andrew Buckle at the Emeralda Golf and Country Club.
Dyson finished a third successive day in a share of the lead and is relishing the experience. A five under par 67, which started with an eagle and two birdies in his first four holes, took him to 15 under par 201 and level with Buckle, who moments earlier came in with an impressive seven under par 65.
It was in Asia that Dyson launched his career with considerable success. Having turned professional in 1999, after playing his part in Great Britain and Ireland’s Walker Cup victory over the United States that year, Dyson swept the board in Asia, winning three times on his way to claiming the Order of Merit title along with the Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year Honours.
He went on to win his European Tour card at the end of that year through the Qualifying School but is always a welcome visitor to this part of the golfing world.
“This is where I started my golf and I always enjoy coming back,” said Dyson. “I plan on playing about ten events in Asia this year. I love it.”
Dyson got off to the perfect start, drawing level with third round leader Stephen Dodd with an eagle on the first, holing from 20 feet, and then pulling ahead by converting a 12 foot birdie putt on the second. When Dodd bogeyed the third, Dyson stretched his lead further with a birdie on the fourth. He then birdied the two par fives on the back nine for a 67.
“I just want to keep playing as I have been doing and shooting sub-par rounds< added Dyson as he looked ahead to the final round where he will play alongside Buckle. “I think if one of us shoots four or five under tomorrow, it could take it. I am looking forward to it. I have been in a share of the lead every and feel I have responded well.”
With Dodd struggling to regain the form which brought him home in 29 in the second round, Jaidee led the chase. At the turn he was only one adrift but he too lost his way on the back nine, coming home in 38 for a level par 72 to finish five off the lead.
Instead it was Buckle who emerged from the chasing pack. Three birdies on the front nine took him out in 33 and over the back nine he gradually reeled Dyson in with birdies at the tenth, 14th and 16th, where he holed a huge putt across the green. He then edged ahead briefly with a birdie on the 17th before Dyson matched him.
“I’m playing well,” said the 23 year old from Brisbane. “I hit a couple of shots off line but managed to get out of trouble. I’m putting well which is the main thing. I’m just going to give it my best shot tomorrow and see what happens.”
Wang Ter-chang lies third, three shots off the pace at 12 under par 203 after a steady two under par 70 but feels at the age of 43 feels hiss age could count against him in the final push for the title.
“I hope to win and it is good to be in the position I am but at my age it will be very difficult,” he said. “But nothing is impossible.”
After the fireworks of the second round 63, Dodd lost his momentum and dropped back into a share of fourth place on ten under par 206 after a disappointing round of 74. He was joined on that mark by Jaidee, Ireland’s David Higgins (69) and Asian Tour Rookie of the Year Shiv Kapur of India, who made up ground with a six under par 66.