Tight at top in Kuala Lumpur

Rhys Davies remains well-placed to secure a maiden career title as he ended the third round of the Maybank Malaysian Open in a share of the lead with Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat.

The young Welshman carded a one-under-par 71 to keep his name at the top of the leaderboard on a day he was required to play a total of 25 holes.

With adverse weather having forced a number of players to resume early to finish their second rounds, Davies held his nerve well as sunny conditions allowed the tournament to get back on schedule.

Aphibarnrat came with a strong finish as he birdied three of his final four holes to post a clubhouse target of 11-under-par that only Davies was able to match.

However, a host of big names have congregated behind the leaders with KJ Choi (69), Soren Hansen (69) and in-form Asian number one Thongchai Jaidee (69) leading the chasing pack at 10-under alongside 18-year-old South Korean Noh Seung-yul (67).

Johan Edfors of Sweden (69) and Spain's duo Alejandro Canizares (71) are one shot further adrift, while another Spaniard, Ignacio Garrido (71), is on his own in tenth at eight-under.

Davies was pleased with his efforts, the only blemish during a steady third round a double-bogey seven at the tenth after his tee shot found water.

However, three birdies ensured he remains very much in the hunt for a first European Tour title and the 24-year-old feels he is more than capable of seeing the job through.

Good pressure

"It's good pressure to be up there. If I shoot the best score tomorrow then I win, that's a good thing," stated the world number 135.

"There are a number of great players up there so it is up to me to worry about my own game and try not to worry about them. If I score lower than them then I will come out on top."

After sinking a 30-footer for birdie at 17, Davies, who cut his teeth on the Asian Tour in 2008 with three top-10 finishes before claiming second at the Thailand Open last year, missed out on assuming the outright lead as an eight-foot birdie effort at the last lipped out.

"My temperament has been good all week and I have listened to my mind and body to stay on top of things," he added.

"I drove the ball well which is a big plus for me. I usually putt well and I did putt well. Not many went in, but I did hit a lot of them on line."

Strong finish

Kiradech capped his barnstorming finish with a 10 foot birdie putt at 18 and will look to build on the experience after holding a two-shot lead after the third round of the Asian Tour's season-opening Asian Tour International last month before ultimately missing out on a maiden title.

"My driving was better, my ball striking has been improving these past three days and that has played a part in my good performance," he explained.

"I need to build on my experiences and hope it will be better than my last two attempts."

Choi, who is looking for another victory on Malaysian soil having won at the Johor Open last October, was another to miss a birdie chance on the final green, but insisted he was pleased with his form.

"I have put myself in position, I like where I am," said the 39-year-old South Korean. "Yesterday and today I just sweated so much I feel weary.

"I just need to overcome the heat for one more day and try to close it out.

"I have a good rhythm going and knew to maintain that, but there are a lot of players crammed up there and it's anybody's game."