HUA HIN, Thailand — Big-hitting Australian Scott Hend carded a six-under-par 66 in the third round to take a one-stroke lead in the Thailand Classic Saturday. Hend, the winner of the Driving Distance category on four occasions since 2009, took his total to 15-under, one ahead of Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez (69) and three-time Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Thongchai Jaidee (67) of Thailand. Another local hope Kiradech Aphibarnrat posted a 70 to be at fourth spot in the $2 million tournament, co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours. Hend made birdies on the second and seventh holes but his game went up a gear after making the turn at the Black Mountain Golf Club. He added another shot on the 10th, sank an eagle three on the 609-yards 13th and picked up further gains on the 15th and 17th before giving up one on the last for his day's only blemish. Overnight leader Jimenez stayed in the hunt with a spotless round of 69. Tournament ambassador Thongchai also matched Jimenez in going bogey-free and was confident he had the game to challenge Hend in the final round. Jones-Snedeker share lead In Pebble Beach, Australia's Matt Jones fired eight birdies in a six-under-par 66 Friday to share the halfway lead with former champion Brandt Snedeker at the $6.8 million Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in California. Snedeker and Jones finished 36 holes at 12-under-par 131, one stroke ahead of overnight co-leader Justin Hicks. John Daly, who started the day one off the lead, couldn't find a birdie over his last 11 holes and fell six shots adrift. First-round co-leader J.B. Holmes also struggled and found himself six back and in danger of missing the cut. The field will be reduced after Saturday's third round, after every player has tested each of the three courses in use over the first three rounds — the par-72 Pebble Beach Golf Links, par-72 Spyglass Hill and par-71 Monterey Peninsula. Australian Jason Day made a big move toward the top, carding a nine-under 62 at Monterey Peninsula to join a group tied for 14th on nine-under par despite being unwell. Three share lead In Gold Coast, Australia, England's Charley Hull and Holly Clyburn and South Korea's Choi Eun-woo shared the third-round lead at the Australian Ladies Masters on a tough day for scoring Saturday on the Royal Pines resort course. Clyburn shot a 1-over 74 and Choi and Hull both had 75s for 54-hole totals of 4-under 215. Second-round leader Rebecca Artis of Australia (79), South Korean-born Australian Oh Su-hyun (72) and Tonje Daffinrud of Norway (72) were a stroke behind. Only seven of 67 players who made the cut broke par Saturday. Defending champion Cheyenne Woods shot 73 after a 78 on Friday nearly forced her to miss the cut. — Agencies
