Low sizzles with 66 to lead by three strokes

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Low Khai Jei fires a sizzling six-under 66 to take the outright lead of the PGM Tour’s Orna Closed championship in Melaka yesterday.

Low Khai Jei fires a sizzling six-under 66 to take the outright lead of the PGM Tour’s Orna Closed championship in Melaka yesterday.

KUCHING: Malaysia’s top-ranked amateur player Low Khai Jei fired an impressive six-under 66 to take the outright lead of the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour’s Orna Closed in Melaka yesterday.

The 19-year-old, who already has a tie for third on the Tour and says he is in no hurry to turn pro, moved to 11-under 205 after the third round at Orna GCC.

Leaving seasoned pros in his wake, Khai Jei admitted that he was “a bit nervous” about leading the RM180,000 event with a day to go.

“I haven’t been in a situation like this before (in a pro tournament) so I am a bit nervous,” he said.

“But I will try to just play my normal game tomorrow and see what happens.”

Khai Jei ‘s six-under round came courtesy of an even-par first nine, followed by a birdie blitz on the homeward stretch, where he flawlessly strung five straight birdies from Holes 10 to 14,before adding another at the 17th.

“At one stage I was five shots behind, but over the back nine I got into a groove where I felt really comfortable with my swing and putted okay too. Hopefully I can continue tomorrow with a steady game,” he added.

Khai Jei ‘s effort left him three shots clear of overnight leader Nicholas Fung, with whom he will play in the last group today, alongside Khor Kheng Hwai. Fung carded a 71 that had him on 208 in second spot, while Khor had a 70 for a 209 total in third place.

Wilson Choo (69) was fourth on six-under 210. Mohd Amli signed for the lowest round so far with an eight-under 64. That outstanding score which would have been a new course record had it not been for preferred lies, propelled him to five-under 211 and joint fifth with Ben Leong (71). The player, who will soon turn 30 and has a top-five finish as his best showing on Tour, said he just “hit the ball very well and putted very well.”

“That’s how it happens. On some day, everything you go for goes in. It was an enjoyable experience and I’l try to do more of the same tomorrow,” added Amli, who turned pro in 2010.