Mamat Extends Lead at Singapore Masters

SINGAPORE (AP) _ Mardan Mamat shot a 2-under-par 70 Saturday to extend his lead heading into the final round of the Singapore Masters. <br/><br/>The hometown favorite had three birdies and looked on course

Saturday, March 11th 2006, 10:36 am

By: News On 6

SINGAPORE (AP) _ Mardan Mamat shot a 2-under-par 70 Saturday to extend his lead heading into the final round of the Singapore Masters.

The hometown favorite had three birdies and looked on course for a three-stroke lead until he bogeyed on the last two holes at Laguna Golf and Country Club, reducing his lead to one shot.

England's Nick Dougherty, the tournament's defending champion, was in second after a 67.

Dougherty, who ended the previous round tied for fifth, made six birdies on the front nine, including birdies on his first three holes. His run was interrupted by a double bogey on the par-4 fourth.

Tied for third at 9-under 207 were South Korea's Charlie Wi (65), and England's Ross Fisher, who finished a bogey-free round of 68 with four birdies.

``Maybe a couple of times, I was defensive hitting a shorter club into the wind just protecting from going over the flag,'' Fisher said. ``But to come away with four birdies and no bogeys is really pleasing.''

Thailand's Chapchai Nirat carded six consecutive birdies on the front nine and five birdies on the back, but found water at the par-3 eighth and 17th holes, where he shot a triple and a double bogey, respectively.

``I knew I had to be careful. I was a little scared and there was pressure too,'' said Nirat, whose 66 moved him into fifth place. ``Maybe the pressure got to me.''

In sixth place at 7-under 209 were Dane Anders Hansen (66) and Englishman Andrew Butterfield (66). Australia's Wade Ormsby (72) and Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng were in eighth with a 6-under 210.

The Singapore Masters is jointly sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours.