KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s Nateesh Ganesh salvaged a five-over 76 with two late birdies in the third round of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, dropping to tied 24th position with one round remaining.
The 21-year-old Nateesh finished strongly with birdies on the 16th and 18th holes at a sun-kissed Te Arai Links for a 54-hole total of eight-over.
Danish Rizal, the other Malaysian who made the halfway cut, carded a 79 for tied 57th position on 20-over in what is his championship debut.
New Zealand’s Zack Swanwick seized the 54-hole lead following a second straight 67, two strokes ahead of defending champion Fifa Laopakdee of Thailand (73) and another Kiwi Cooper Moore (71). Japan’s Kaito Sato is fourth, four shots back after a 70.
Swanwick is shooting to deliver a first ever Asia-Pacific Amateur title for New Zealand.
“I think I have to stick to the game plan. Hit fairways and greens.
“It’s a spot I’ve not been in a while and I’ll try to enjoy every second of it,” said the 20-year-old Swanwick, who is 24th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
The winner of the Asia-Pacific Amateur will earn coveted spots in next year’s Masters and The Open.
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