Scott Holds Slim Lead Heading to Final Round in Singapore

Adam Scott’s lead has shrunk to the slimmest of margins, but he heads into the final round of the Singapore Open as the odds-on favourite.

Following a third round 69, Scott holds a one shot lead over Ian Poulter and unknown Korean Kyung-nam Kang.

The Australian’s third round saw him make 8 birdies, 2 bogies and a double, including a lights out 30 on the back nine.  Despite just a one shot advantage, Scott is the prohibitive favourite with the bookmakers and is now almost at even money sitting at (5-4).

Ian Poulter is #2 on the betting board at (9-4) after carding a 68 on Saturday.

He’s easily leading the field in Greens in Regulation this week hitting a whopping 89% of the greens at Sentosa Golf Club.  If he can finally get his putter going, it would be no surprise to see Poulter holding the trophy on Sunday.

Even with his multitude of chances, the Englishman hasn’t been able to take full advantage as he sits in 29th in putting for the week.  He’ll have to make considerable improvement on the 1.9 putts per hole he’s averaged thus far to challenge Scott over the final 18 holes.

Even though he sits in a tie for second, Kyung-nam Kung will carry (8-1) odds into the final round.  This really isn’t much of a surprise as he’s played just 5 events on the European Tour over the past three years.

He has managed to post top-15 finishes in the last two Ballantine’s Championships, but there wasn’t nearly the talent in the field as he’ll face tomorrow.  In reality, these odds could be much longer.

Graeme McDowell continues to lurk just off the lead after posting his second straight 68.  His (-12) total puts him two off the lead in fourth place, but he sits #3 in the books.

This certainly results from the limited confidence put in Kyung-nam Kung, as it really would make no sense for the bookies to put a current US Open champion behind a little known journeyman.  Furthermore, as stated much of the week, McDowell is easily the hottest player at the top of the leaderboard.  

Assuming Kang will eventually fold to the pressure, this could become a three horse race to the finish and it should be expected that McDowell will be in the conversation right to the end.

The more I practice, the luckier I get  - Gary Player