Thailand's Thammanoon Srirot edged into the lead at the Maybank Malaysian Open with a birdie at the first hole of his third round but was then forced off the course by the adverse weather conditions that have now reduced the tournament to 54 holes. Just as Srirot rolled in a 30 foot birdie putt at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club to move to 13 under par, play was abandoned for the day due to a lightning storm. With further bad weather forecast for Malaysia over the next 24 hours, Officials from both The European Tour and the Asian Tour had no option but to now play the event over 54 holes.
Defending champion Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand is very much in the hunt for a historic third straight victory in Malaysia as he is tied second with halfway leader David Park of Wales, who bogeyed the only hole he managed to play on Saturday. Jaidee is looking to create both European Tour and Asian Tour history by becoming the first player to win the same title three times in a row.
England's Mark Foster was among the players ruing the suspension after making a great start to the third round with two birdies and an eagle through his opening five holes to move into a tie for fourth place on 11-under, a score matched by compatriot John Bickerton.
Srirot, a five-time winner in Asia, made the most of Park's bogey on the first when he rammed home that lengthy putt on the first hole. Now, he's dreaming of succeeding Jaidee as the Maybank Malaysian Open champion..
"I will play it safe but if I can make birdies, I will go for it. I'm very comfortable here and I'm putting really well this week. I'm not putting pressure on myself and I'm taking it easy," said the 36 year old.
Jaidee will not give up his title without a fight, though. "I expected the weather to be like this. I feel very good. Thammanoon is really strong now and he's putting well. There are still many holes to go," said the Asian Tour’s Number One player.
Park, bidding for his second European Tour win, missed the green on the first hole and failed to save par from four feet before the siren blew for players to return to the clubhouse. But the Welshman was unperturbed of his minor slip-up.
"I was not too happy with the bogey but these things happen. It's only my third bogey of the week. I'm not making many, so I'm not worried," said Park. "It's nice to know that we'll go home on Sunday and it's a bonus.
"I thought they might go to Monday but obviously, we'll have to do it over 54 holes. It's a shame as I would have liked to play four rounds. We'll just start again really. I've been pleased with the way I'm playing for a while now, so the form is quite good."
