Macao, October 19: Australian Scott Hend put on a masterclass with a blistering eight-under-par 63 to open up a four-shot lead over Ernie Els of South Africa and Bangladeshi Siddikur after the third round of the Venetian Macao Open on Saturday.

Big-hitting Hend, who has won twice already this season, charged up the leaderboard with an eagle, seven birdies against a lone bogey for a three-day total of 12-under-par 201 in the US$800,000 Asian Tour event.

Four-time Major winner Els battled to a 69 despite a hot start when he birdied two of his opening three holes while overnight leader Siddikur got his wish of playing with the Big Easy after a 70 for a 205 aggregate.

India’s Rahil Gangjee (66), Filipino Elmer Salvador (70), Daisuke Kataoka of Japan (69) and Baek Seuk-hyun of Korea (70 all share fourth place, a further stroke back going into the final 18 holes on Sunday.

Since opening his campaign with a 74, Hend, who won the Chiangmai Golf Classic presented by PTT and Mercuries Taiwan Masters this year, has been irrepressible, shooting a 64 in the second round and improving by another shot today.

He turned in 29 with an eagle from five feet on the second hole and four birdies before settling for three more birdies against a lone dropped shot at the treacherous par three 17^th hole. “Just an extra birdie. Just played a little bit better today. That's all I can do,” said Hend, who is currently second on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit.

“I've set my goals I want to achieve. If hit my targets, that's all I can ask.  If somebody else goes out and shoots 61 tomorrow, and I don't shoot a good enough round, then well done to them. I can only control myself and what I do and that's all I can ask of myself.

“I over engineered a few shots and a few putts. The old adage is 'Keep It Simple, Stupid' and that's pretty much what you've got to do out there. Just fairways, greens, and read the putts.  Don't over complicate it.”

Els, who is making his debut at the Venetian Macao Open, started strongly with birdies on two and three but failed to ride on the early momentum, with dropped shots on 14 and 16 preventing him from getting closer to Hend.

But a birdie on 18, which he missed a short birdie putt on Friday, ensured him a spot in the final match with Hend and Siddikur. “I wish I could have done that yesterday. But yeah, that was important … great to play in the last threeball, see what the leader does firsthand,” said Els.

“You just hope you get off to a good start and he doesn't, and you're in the game.  Or, you've got to have a hot finish.  So there's a lot of golf left.

“I felt I was a bit off here and there. I've got to go low tomorrow. It seems like Scott is playing really good. I played with him the first two rounds, and he had a tough start the first day, but since then, he's been on fire.  I feel good for the challenge tomorrow.  For some reason, I feel I've got a good chance.”

Pint-sized Siddikur is relishing a dream final day pairing with his idol, Els. “I’m so excited,” said Siddikur, who turned in 32 but stuttered coming home with a double bogey, bogey and birdie on the card.

“I’m not going to put pressure on myself. I’ve got the experience of playing many times in the leader group. I’m just going to play my own game and that’s probably the best for me.  If I can hold the putts, then I may have a chance. I need the putter to get hot. Today, it wasn’t good. Yesterday, it was excellent.”

Jointly organised by Macao Sport Development Board of Macao SAR Government (MSDB) and Golf Association of Macao, the tournament is sanctioned by the latter and the Asian Tour, and promoted by IMG. Following a successful foray into the world of golf last year, The Venetian^® Macao-Resort-Hotel has returned as title sponsor of the event.

The Venetian Macao Open will once again be a free entry event for golf fans from around the world to enjoy live world class professional golf in one of the best loved destinations for leisure and business travel in Asia.

Since its inauguration in 1998, the tournament has been graced by the presence of some of the best golfers the world has ever seen, including Lee Westwood, Colin Montgomerie, Nick Faldo, Padraig Harrington, Fred Couples, Ian Woosnam and Mark O’Meara. This year’s event boasts a total prize fund of US$800,000, an increase of 6.7% compared to last year.

Sponsors joining The Venetian®  Macao in support of the tournament include Rolex, Srixon, Air Macao, Blue Girl and Bonaqua, as well as first time sponsors Lamborghini, Maui Jim, Subway, Hytera, Twinwoods Wine and Hong Kong Descente, which carries both the Le Coq Sportif Golf Collection and Munsingwear.

For more details on the Venetian Macao Open, please visit www.thevenetianmacauopen.com