Nirat in charge at Sentosa

Nirat: three-shot lead

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Chapchai Nirat will take a three-shot lead into the final round of the Singapore Open at the Sentosa Golf Club.

Like the majority of the field, the Thai player returned early on Sunday to complete his third round with delays over the first two days having seen the tournament run behind schedule.

Nirat had six holes to play when fading light brought a halt to proceedings on Saturday and ended up posting a 66 to move to ten-under-par.

That leaves the 25-year-old three clear of local player Lam Chih Bing who has sole possession of second place on seven-under.

World number three Phil Mickelson is part of a four-man group a further stroke back in a share for third, the American level with Ernie Els, Simon Dyson and Thomas Bjorn.

Mickelson moved himself into contention as he made birdies on the final two holes of his third round having had four left to play from Satrurday.

However, it is Nirat who will take all the catching as the Thai youngster retained his composure to ensure himself a healthy advantage heading into the final round later on Sunday.

Resuming on the 13th this morning, he bogeyed his first hole of the day to drop to eight under but picked up birdies on the 16th and 18th as he built on the two-shot lead he had opened up by the close of play on Saturday.

Home hope Bing missed a 15-footer for par with his first stroke of the day to drop to six under but a birdie at the 16th pushed the Singaporean back up to seven under.

World number five Padraig Harrington remains in the hunt after firing a five-under 66 yesterday to join Jeev Milkha Singh (67) and Korea's Charlie Wi (67) in a three-way tie for seventh on five under.