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KUALA LUMPUR : Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee produced a stunning finish of three closing birdies en route to a six-under-par 66 as his title defence of the Carlsberg Malaysian Open stayed firmly on track Friday.
The Asian Tour number one has a two-round score of 14-under-par at the Saujana Golf and Country Club and leads by two strokes from birthday boy Thomas Bjorn, who charged into contention with a flawless 64.
Prom Meesawat, crediting his strong run on tips from his father, gave Thai golf fans another reason to cheer with an impressive 65 to share joint third place on 11-under-par 133 with Swede Henrik Stenson.
Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez was tied fifth on 135 while Irish star Padraig Harrington was a further two strokes back in the jointly sanctioned Asian Tour and European Tour event.
Thongchai turned in one under before showing why he was Asia's undisputed golfing king with another breathtaking exhibition of golf on the inward nine.
He birdied the 11th and 13th from five feet before producing some sparkling shots over the closing holes.
On the par three 16th, which he aced in the final round during last year's triumph, Thongchai struck a magnificent six iron which hit the flag before stopping a foot from the hole.
At the next, he punched a shot from a poor lie to tap-in distance before setting up another easy birdie at the closing par five.
Thongchai, who has shot 30, 31 and 31 on the back nine in his last three rounds here, said: "The front nine is always quiet for me. I always can't shoot a score there but it's a bit different on the back nine.
"There are a lot of chances there, some short par fours and birdie opportunities on the par fives," he added.
Bjorn has come close to victory in recent months in Asia, finishing second in the Volvo China Open and joint fourth in the Omega Hong Kong Open and Caltex Masters presented by Carlsberg in Singapore.
"64 is a good gift. It was a nice way to spend your birthday. It was a good round in tough conditions. The course is not playing that tough but it is tough to be out there (in the heat)," he said. - AFP
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