Higley and Gonzalez share third-round lead in Malaysia

little-known Englishman Marcus Higley was enjoying his new status today after the Challenge Tour graduate rolled in a monster birdie putt at the final hole to draw level with Argentina’s Ricardo Gonzalez for the third-round lead at the Maybank Malaysian Open.

The 32-year-old joined Gonzalez at the top of the leaderboard on seven-under-par 209 at Saujana Golf and Country Club after sinking a 35-foot birdie at the 18th for a two-under 70.

Higley and Gonzalez are two strokes ahead of American Edward Loar (72), Prom Meesawat of Thailand (70) and Angelo Que of the Philippines (68).

It is the first time England's Higley has led a European Tour event – and he was delighted to find himself in the position.

Higley said: “It feels good. Obviously, it is new territory and I’m sure I’ll be nervous, like I was today. But I’m just going to keep doing the same things that I have been doing the last few days and hopefully I will get the same results.”

Having recovered after bogeying the first two holes of the round to pick up five birdies including a pair at the last two holes, Higley will be stressing the mantra of patience when he joins Gonzalez and Que in the final group on Sunday.

“The rough is thick out there and obviously the heat can get to you, so you have to accept what happens to you and just take the rough with the smooth. That’s what I think I have done quite well.

“It’s a different atmosphere out here to the Challenge Tour and you do feel a bit awkward to begin with. But hopefully if you keep playing well, people will respect you for that and that’s all you can ask for.”

While Higley is challenging for his first ever European Tour victory, Gonzalez will be seeking his first Tour win in three years in Kuala Lumpur.

Having done well in recent weeks with fourth place finishes in Abu Dhabi and Qatar, the 37-year-old from Cordoba is full of confidence for the final round.

“I’m very happy. Today I played really well and made a lot of putts,” said the Argentinian, who shot a 69 on Saturday.

“I played last Friday in Dubai and made 65, so I came here with some good confidence. Tomorrow, I’ll try to play like today and make some putts.”

The last of three European Tour wins for Gonzalez came at the Open De Sevilla in 2004 and he is desperate to taste victory again.

“I need to win a tournament. This is my focus for this year. This week will be perfect. I’ve got a good chance for that.”

Meanwhile, Simon Dyson was cursing his ill-fortune after dropping to a tie for sixth after a round of 73.

“It was one of those days,” said the Yorkshireman who is on four under with Scotland’s Simon Yates (70), Australia’s David Bransdon (70) and Sweden’s Peter Hedblom (68).

“Absolutely nothing went for me, nothing whatsoever. Hopefully, I’m saving them up for tomorrow [Sunday].”

Seeking his first win of the year after victories at the Indonesian Open and KLM Open in 2006, the 29-year-old is determined to go for broke in the final round.

“If I can play like what I’ve been for the past three days, and hole a few putts, it’s mine,” said the winner of the 2000 Asian PGA Tour Order of Merit.

Having survived the cut by a stroke, Lee Westwood held steady with a solid but unspectacular one-under 71 as he finished the day on level par, while Darren Clarke was one over after also shooting 71.

Michael Campbell shot 78 to finish his third round on seven over but later withdrew from the tournament with a shoulder injury.

Two-time winner Thongchai Jaidee missed the cut after a disappointing end to his second round on Saturday morning.

Returning to complete his round after a thunderstorm ended play early on Friday, the Thai moved to within a stroke of the cut-line with a birdie on the 16th only to finish on five over after bogeys at the 17th and 18th.

Ireland's Damien McGrane lies joint tenth on three under, with Darren Clarke on one over.