Gaganjeet Bhullar led the chasing pack for the third straight day at the US$750,000 Venetian Macau Open, and with a two-shot lead in hand, the Indian aims to celebrate his first wire-to-wire victory on the Asian Tour.
"I have experienced a number of similar wins when I played on the local Indian tour but this is my chance to do it on a bigger stage. So I'm quite used to the pressures of leading. It is difficult but I know how to cope with it," said Bhullar after a two-under-par 69 to total 13-under 200.
If yesterday was supposed to be moving day, everyone from Thai duo Thitiphun Chuayprakong and Prom Meesawat - both of whom began two strokes behind Bhullar - to others like Filipino Angelo Que and Australian Scott Hend couldn't capitalise as they failed to come to grips with the tricky Coloane course.
"The course was not playing easy and I was not surprised that the chasing pack couldn't quite cut my lead," said Bhullar. "The pins were stuck in corners and the tees were at the back so it was not easy to shoot a low score today."
But Bhullar was left disappointed at failing to pick up two birdies over the last two holes when both his attempts lipped out, giving his opponents a chance in today's final round.
Chuayprakong was the closest contender on 11-under 202 after he shot a 69. A further two shots behind on nine-under 204 were American Berry Henson, Hend and Que. Meesawat faded to finish with a one-over 72 to be placed five shots behind the pace and keeping him company are Brazilian Adilson da Silva, Australian Kieran Pratt and American Jonathan Moore.