Rahman, Fung lead World Classic in Singapore

Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh and Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung stormed to the top of the World Classic Championship in Singapore on Saturday, after three days of play.

Both carded a three-day total of two-under-par 211 as they head into the final 18 holes on Sunday at the par-71 Laguna National Golf and Country Club two strokes ahead of India’s S. Chikka, Thailand’s Danthai Boonma and Berry Henson of the United States.

Rahman’s surge after making even par in the first two days came with a clutch of birdies, three on the front nine and two on the back, but his feat was weighed down by two bogeys.

Fung moved a stroke up from his previous day’s total, with four birdies and three bogeys.

With only a two-stroke advantage, the leading pair face a tight race to the finals on Sunday in the $750,000 Asian Tour event.

“I’m not surprised that many of us are bunched up together because the players know this course is extraordinary and that it is difficult to get the birdies and score high,” said Rahman.

“So score-wise there isn’t much difference between us, and anything can happen on Sunday.”

After three days of play at the demanding Laguna National course, Fung said every hole is a challenge and keeping the ball in play in the fairways and greens will be crucial to his game in the final 18.

“I know it is a difficult course. The greens are tricky and there are a lot of slopes coming into play out there. But I like this kind of challenge,” the Malaysian said.

Chikka said he was confident going into Sunday’s showdown.

“My scores have been improving everyday which is great. I’m confident with my game and I’ve been playing well,” said the Indian.

Selected scores after the third round at the par-71 Laguna National Golf and Country Club:

211 – Siddikur Rahman (BAN) 71-71-69, Nicholas Fung (MAS) 74-67-70

213 – S. Chikka (IND) 76-70-67, Danthai Boonma (THA) 72-69-72, Berry Henson (USA) 70-70-73.

214 – Chapchai Nirat (THA) 76-69-69, Paul Peterson (USA) 71-73-70, Chinnarat Phadungsil (THA) 71-69-74
215 – Danny Chia (MAS) 73-72-70, Jyoti Randhawa (IND) 79-68-68, Panuphol Pittayarat (THA) 72-73-70, Wang Jeunghun (KOR) 69-75-71, Akinori Tani (JPN) 74-74-67, Sam Brazel (AUS) 69-74-72