Adam Scott holds a three shot lead going into the last ten holes of the Barclays Singapore Open after thunderstorms in Singapore forced the final round to carry over to Monday.
The Australian, who led by one overnight, had been joined on 14 under par by Kang Kyung-nam and defending champion Ian Poulter after three holes when the weather at Sentosa Golf Club forced a delay of five and a half hours.
On the resumption of play, 30 year old Scott was in magnificent form and was able to build a healthy advantage.
All three players hit their approaches to the par five fourth within six feet after the restart, but Kang’s putt slid past while his playing partners birdied to go 15 under.
Scott – a winner on the Serapong Course in 2005 and 2006 - was back in front with a birdie at the sixth, and he could have enjoyed a two shot swing at the next.
Poulter was in trouble off the tee and in the greenside bunker in three, while Scott pitched to eight feet.
And even though Ryder Cup star Poulter failed to get up and down after splashing out eight feet past the pin, Scott failed to take full advantage as he missed his birdie putt.
Scott showed why he is considered one of the world’s best long iron players with his tee shot to the 227 yard eighth, which pulled up three feet short of the hole.
And although Poulter struck a good shot of his own to seven feet, it was the Australian who birdied to lead by three on 17 under par.
“I had a bit of momentum going with three birdies after coming back from the rain delay so it was a bit of a shame that I had to stop. I would love to have kept playing,” said Scott
“I’m thinking of the victory and not winning it three times. A lot can happen because it is a tough back nine but I would love to go out and play really rock solid and not let anybody have a chance.
“I’m not talking up my chances, there are plenty of good players out there.”
Kang was a shot behind World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play winner Poulter on 13 under, with Graeme McDowell and Anders Hansen a shot further back.
“It was a long and a bit of a frustrating day to have to sit around for five hours,” said Poulter. “But when we got back out on the golf course I hit a lot of good golf shots and just missed a couple of putts from eight feet which would have had me right there with Adam.
“I am playing well enough and hitting good golf shots that I am going to have ten holes to claw back that deficit.”
“I am playing well enough and hitting good golf shots that I am going to have ten holes to claw back that deficit.”
Peter Lawrie is one over par through twelve holes – after a double bogey on the 6th - to remain 7 under par overall.
Michael Hoey is also one over par through 12 holes and level par for the tournament.
Gareth Maybin is one under after playing eleven holes and 2 over par in total.
Shane Lowry doubled the 16th and is 3 over par after eleven holes and 2 over for the tournament.
