Westwood has slender lead

Lee Westwood holds on to a one-shot lead going into the final round of the Maybank Malaysia Open on Sunday

Westwood had a four shot lead at the halfway stage at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club and extended that to five shots after the first five holes.

But a bogey on the par five 18th saw the Englishman card a one-under 71 while fellow countryman Andy Sullivan shot a superb six-under 66 to race into second place on the leaderboard.

“It was tricky out there,” said Westwood, who is chasing his 41st career win .

“I didn’t play as well as I did the first two days, but there were some difficult flags and it was really hot.

“That’s as hot as I’ve been on a golf course for quite some time. It was a real grind. I was leaking out there a little bit.

“You can get glazed up and lose your concentration quite easily but I’m leading going into the last round so I’m quite happy with that.”

Meanwhile, Sullivan, who was part of the winning Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup team in 2011, reflected on the Malaysian heat.

“It was tough out there to keep your concentration but I’m glad my adrenaline kept me going,” said the 27-year-old.

“I’ve been playing good golf so I’ll go out there tomorrow and play like how I’ve been playing. Hopefully I can play good golf and catch the leader.”

Julien Quesne of France is four shots off the pace after a 69, while overnight second place man Nicolas Colsaerts slumped to a 72 to fall one shot behind the Frenchman.

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