Bayron wavers with 77, skids to 33rd overall

MANILA, Philippines - Jay Bayron crumbled in severe condition at the Seri Selangor Golf Club, limping with a 77 and tumbling from joint fourth to 33rd in the third round of the Selangor Masters now paced by Aussie Cameron Smith in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia.

Bayron, who stayed within striking distance with a 69 and 68 in the first two rounds, found the going a lot tougher yesterday, fumbling with seven bogeys and a double bogey against three birdies for a 37-40 card.

With a 214 aggregate, the Filipino bet fell nine strokes off Smith, who snatched a one-shot lead from Thai duo Chapchai Nirat and Sattaya Supupramai after a bruising round.

Smith, the 2013 Australian Amateur Champion, battled to an even par 71 which included three bogeys over his closing four holes at the demanding par-71 layout to put himself in position for a maiden Asian Tour victory.

Chapchai, a three-time winner but not since 2009, shot a 69 while Sattaya moved into contention with a 68 which included six birdies and two dropped shots over his last three holes in the $410,000 event.

Current Order of Merit leader David Lipsky of the United States kept himself in the hunt for a second title in three weeks with a 69 which left him two back alongside Australian Jake Higginbottom and Chinese Taipei’s Hung Chien-yao.

An ailing overnight leader Anirban Lahiri of India struggled to a 76 which included two closing double bogeys and ended a tough day three shots behind Smith at 208.

Tony Lascuña settled for a three-birdie, three-bogey stint for a 71, barely moving to joint 15th at 211, six shots behind, while three-time Asian Tour leg winner Angelo Que shot a 69 to jump from 53rd to a share of 23rd at 213.