South Africa's Thomas Aiken fired a course record 61 to leap into the lead after the third round of the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek, Saturday. Aiken's 11-under-par round put him on 198, one stroke ahead of America's Len Mattiace and four in front of David Lynn, Robert Rock, Richard Sterne and Oskar Henningsson in the European Tour event. It also put him in line for the biggest payday of his career. The 158,500 euros first prize is almost as much as his full season earnings of 160,775 on the 2008 European Tour. He finished 131st on the Order of Merit and only qualified for the co-sanctioned event because of his ranking on the South African Sunshine Tour. Pre-tournament favourites Lee Westwood, Charl Schwartzel and Rory Sabbatini were left trailing as lesser known players blazed around the course on the edge of the Kruger Park game reserve. Thongchai closer to title Thai star Thongchai Jaidee moved closer to winning his 10th Asian Tour title after taking a five-shot lead Saturday in the third round of the 300,000-dollar Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open. The 2004 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion shot an eight-under-par 64 for an 18-under-par 198 total to end the day five shots ahead of Americans Corey Harris and Anthony Kang who both carded 203. Singapore's Lam Chih-bing also moved into contention for his maiden Asian Tour title after carding a 67 for a 205 total to share fourth place with England's Steven Tiley and overnight leader Chawalit Plaphol of Thailand. “I played very well today. My irons and putts were very good,” said Thongchai.
