Blistering round jumps Que into a narrow lead after slow start

PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA // A limping Angelo Que charged into a one-shot lead after the third round of the Selangor Masters yesterday but no fewer than 10 players have a realistic shot at the title. The Filipino, chasing a third Asian Tour victory, overcame a sluggish start before storming home with a three-under-par 68 and a five-under-par 208 total in the Rm1.2 million (Dh1.4m) event. Playing partners Chris Rodgers, of England, and countryman Juvic Pagunsan led the chasing pack with matching 69s at the tricky Seri Selangor Golf Club while Malaysia's Airil Rizman (72), Filipino Jay Bayron (70), Thai duo Chawalit Plaphol (69) and Namchoak Tantipokakul (71) and Australians Scott Barr (72) and Brad Smith (72) were a further shot back on 210.

The 31-year-old Que has been struggling with blisters on both feet all week but sprung to life on his inward nine with four birdies over a five-hole stretch to pull clear of the field. He credited a hot putter for his lead. "I was just happy with the way I putted. I've been putting well the past few days and hopefully I can keep it up. Putting is my weakness and I've worked on it and it's worked so far," said Que, who needed only 23 putts.

"A one-shot lead is nothing here'" he added. "One bad hole will take it all away. It'll be great to win. I haven't won in two years and winning one more would be something else. Three is a charm." Rodgers, bidding for a second Asian Tour victory since his 2006 success at the Pakistan Open, stayed in the title hunt with a round that included four birdies. "I played steadily," he said. "I didn't make any mistakes and that's the main thing."

* Agency