But it also depends on what the leader shoots. Like I said, it is a difficult golf course and if you start on the wrong side, it can be a tough course, so the idea is to give yourself a chance.'

'I started strongly. I missed a small putt on number four otherwise my score would have been better. I also made bogeys on seven and nine. I continued to play well with a birdie on the 15th to go back on one-under for the day but finished with a bogey on the 17th and 18th hole.'

Malaysia's S. Siva Chandhran also battled to a 69 to lie in second place as he kept up his dream of winning on his home course at the US$300,000 Asian Tour event.

Five golfers - Kodai Ichihara of Japan, Simon Griffiths of England, Malaysian Shaaban Hussin, joint overnight leader Noh Seung-yul of Korea and South African James Kamte - are tied third on 208, four off the pace.

The 20-year-old Kiradech, whose burly physique and aggressive style of play is a shade of American star John Daly, made a big par save from six feet on the 18th green to give himself a cushion into the final round.