ending Volvo Masters of Asia was left hanging on a knife edge after the third round ended with five players tied for the lead on Saturday. Overnight leader Lam Chih Bing of Singapore battled to an even par 72 at the Thai Country Club and was joined at the top of the leaderboard on nine-under-par 207 by David Gleeson of Australia, who equalled the course record of 63, compatriot Marcus Both (70) and Thai duo Chapchai Nirat (70) and Chawalit Plaphol (69). Antonio Lascuna of the Philippines was a further shot back while nine other players, including defending champion Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand, are within four shots of the co-leaders to ensure a thrilling finish to the Asian Tour season. Lam, who led by two strokes after the third round, posted four birdies against as many bogeys as he failed to pull clear of the chasing pack in the $750,000 event. Villegas piles pressure on Furyk In California, Camilo Villegas, helped by a spectacular eagle at the 11th, boosted his chances of a third title on US soil this year by soaring into contention at the Chevron World Challenge on Friday. The Colombian world number seven fired a sparkling five-under-par 67, the best score of the week, to end the second round at Sherwood Country Club two shots behind the pace-setting Jim Furyk. Six behind at the start of a chilly autumn day of sunshine, Villegas birdied the first three holes on the way to a three-under total of 141, level with South Korean KJ Choi (71) and American Anthony Kim (70). Former world number one Fred Couples delivered one of the day's most compelling storylines by firing a 69. Westwood takes 2-shot lead In South Africa, Lee Westwood shot a 4-under 68 Saturday to take a two-stroke lead after the third round of the South African Open Championship. Westwood made four birdies in a bogey-free round to reach a total of 14-under 202, while overnight leader Michael Lorenzo-Vera of France only managed a 72 to sit tied for second with Northern Ireland's Gareth Maybin (69). It was Westwood's second consecutive 68 after an opening-round 66, and the Englishman has made just one bogey in three rounds. Ernie Els slipped out of contention with a 77, leaving Retief Goosen and George Coetzee as the highest-placed South Africans in a tie for fourth, three shots off the lead. Goosen had a chance for an eagle on the par-five 18th but had to settle for a birdie after his six-foot uphill putt was short. Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland was also tied for fourth after overcoming a slow start, as the 19-year-old tries to earn a top-50 spot in the world rankings to secure a place in next year's majors. Els struggled from the start, sending his first tee shot wide right and then missing a short double-bogey putt for a seven on the first hole. Bogeys on 7, 12, 16 and 17 were made worse by another triple-bogey on the 11th, and five birdies could not repair the damage.
