DANNY SHINES ALONGSIDE PGA STARS
Kuala Lumpur, 29 October 2011: Bo Van Pelt took the lead after the third round of the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic, Malaysia at The Mines Resort & Golf Club in Kuala Lumpur today, having carded a 4-under-par 67. It left him on 16-under 197 for the tournament and 1-stroke ahead of overnight leader Jeff Overton, who managed a 2-under 69.
Mark Wilson, twice a winner on the PGA Tour this year and Fredrik Jacobson were joint third on 13-under.
However, the biggest cheer of the day came for Malaysian Danny Chia, who played above and beyond himself to hold his own in the strongest field he has faced yet, even while playing alongside Vijay Singh.
The one-time Asian Tour winner fired a 5-under-par to go with the 66 the day before and an opening even-par 71 that left him in a tie for 5th. Alongside the hometown favourite were American Jason Duffner and three-time major championship winner Vijay.
Nicely poised for an outside crack at the title today, five strokes off the pace on 11-under, Danny was naturally delighted with his showing thus far and said: “I was very patient today and I’m very proud of myself for that. I didn’t hole any birdies after the one on the third hole and I kept telling myself to stay patient and hopefully the birdie would come. And it really did in the last five holes.
“The conditions out there were great. The golf course is in great condition and the greens are running very smooth. The fairways are in good condition as well.”
Looking ahead, Danny added: “I guess the expectations are building up now. Every day when I begin my round, I don’t really think about the result. I just want to play my golf. I only started looking at the leaderboard on the second last hole and told myself ‘Hey, I’ve still got an outside chance’ and must now try really hard to make my putts and register a birdie.’”
Danny conceded he was nervous playing alongside Vijay but overcame the early nerves to brilliantly birdie four out of the last five holes which raised loud cheers around the 18th green and put a big smile on his face.
“I probably had the most nervous first five holes this week! I’ve been watching Vijay play golf on television since I started playing. He is pretty much the icon for golf in Malaysia. Everyone loves him. Every hole I hit today, I could feel him watching and I felt nervous,” said Danny.
Vijay, who won his first professional title in Malaysia and a two-time Malaysian Open winner, paid tribute to Danny's strong finish.
“It was good. It was nice to play with Danny. He’s a good chap. He did well, made birdies in the last few,” said the veteran Fijian.
India’s Jeev Milkha Singh was the next best Asian, shooting a 67 to lie in tied 14th place. Jeev, a two-time Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, failed to get his putter going as he settled for a 67 after a round of six birdies and two bogeys.
“I think I got ahead of myself. I hit it really well and it’s really disappointing. Tricky greens but I should have been more aggressive with some putts,” said Jeev.
Van Pelt overcame two bogeys on the first two holes to shoot 4-under 67. He bounced back with two birdies, at the 3rd hole and the 5th and then added another four on the back nine.
Speaking to the media after his round, Van Pelt said: “Obviously any time you’re near the lead with 18 to go, you’re excited. That’s why we come practice and why we enter tournaments. That’s all you can ask for, to have a chance to win on Sunday.”
“It’s exciting, and I’m looking forward to it. It’s been a while since I won a golf tournament, so it would be great.”
Overton, who led the tournament with Jacobson after the second day, fell off the top of the leaderboard primarily because of Van Pelt’s superb performance. But he did post three birdies and a bogey to stay right in touch with the leader and set up what should be a fascinating last day’s play tomorrow.
And while Overton’s display was rather short on the course record 62, he blazed in the second round and remained upbeat.
“I hit it really well although I didn’t hit it quite as close as yesterday, but still managed to hit a lot of greens. I didn’t have the kick-ins like I had yesterday; just a few longer putts.
“It wasn’t my day on the greens. I didn’t make anything. Good ball striking round. I played a bit tentative but all in all, I am in the right position for tomorrow,” he said.