Golf

Danny Willet takes three-stroke lead into final day in Malaysia

Maybank Championship would represent his first Tour win since last years Masters victory

Danny Willett leads by three strokes heading into the final day of the Maybank Championship. Photograph: Getty/Stuart Franklin

Sat Feb 11 2017 - 11:47

Danny Willett takes a three-shot lead into the final round of the Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur as he looks to claim a first Tour title since victory at the Masters.

Englishman Willett went round in 67 for the second consecutive day to lead American David Lipsky by three shots and Frenchman Alexander Levy by a further stroke at Saujana Golf and Country Club.

Meanwhile Niall Turner, the sole Irishman lef tin the field, slumped to a third round 77 to leave him on level par and tied for 65th position.

Willett, 29, who finished second in the Race To Dubai rankings in 2016, is coming back to form after an early-season struggle and is now in pole position to secure his first victory since winning at Augusta National last April.

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“It was up and down, I’d have taken a 67 at the start of the day, it spreads the top five or six guys out a bit more and further away,” Willett said.

“I’m probably going to go hit a few and make a few little minor tweaks here and there and try to get the driver to where it has been most of the week.

“I’m not sure what will win it to be honest, it depends on if we pitch up and it’s flat calm. I think there’s a few guys that can go low if it’s windy like this.

“One or two under par is a good knock out there so I think it all depends on the weather tomorrow.”

Overnight leader Bernd Wiesberger is tied for fourth after enduring a difficult round of 73 which leaves him five shots off the lead.

Gregory Havret and Panuphol Pittayarat both carded rounds of 66 to join Wiesberger on 11-under.

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