Malaysian Ben Leong Jump Two Rungs In Qualifying School Final Stage Golf Tourney

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 14 (Bernama) -- National pro golfer, Ben Leong continues his splendid performance after firing a free-bogey 67 in the penultimate round at the Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday. The result saw the 30-year-old Sabahan moved up two rungs to third with Todd Sinnott of Australia after both players shot an identical 17-under-par 199 total after three days of competition at Suvarnabhumi Golf and Country Club. Japan’s Junya Kameshiro rose to the top of the leaderboard after carded five under par 67 for 20-under-par 196 total to take a shot lead against Richard Green of Australia, heading into the final round Saturday. Leong, who claimed success in two previous edition at the Asian Tour Qualifying School in 2006 and 2007, was delighted with his performance and hoping to put up an illustrious performance in the final round. "It's always great if I can win the Qualifying School again. A win is a win and it's definitely my aim to do that again tomorrow. I just have to maintain my focus and do what I've been doing the last few weeks," he was quoted as saying in the Asian Tour website, www.asiantour.com. "I have to give credit to (the chairman of Professional Golf of Malaysia) Ahmad Sarji (Abdul Hamid) for setting up the tournaments for us to be able to compete week in, week out back home in Malaysia. All those events really got me prepared for this week," Leong added. The top 35 players and ties following the conclusion of 72 holes will earn playing rights on the region's premier Tour in 2017. Leading third round scores: ---------------------------- 196 – Junya Kameshiro (JPN) 67-62-67 197 – Richard Green (AUS) 66-63-68 198 – Ben Leong (MAS) 65-66-67, Todd Sinnot (AUS) 64-65-69 199 – Chang Yikeun (KOR) 68-65-66, William Cannon (USA) 64-68-67 200 – Raththee Sirithanakunsak (THA) 67-68-65, Teemu Putkonen (FIN) 65-67-68, Settee Prakongvech (THA) 66-66-68 201 – Kim Sihwan (USA) 69-67-65, Zheng Ou-yang (CHN) 65-66-70, Chanachok Dejpiratanamongkol (THA) 67-63-71. -- BERNAMA