Negeri Sembilan (Malaysia), Nov 20 (IANS): Indian golfer Ajeetesh Sandhu scored an even-par 71 to be tied 39th after the third and penultimate round of the PGM Nilai Springs Championship here on Friday.

Ajeetesh, who scored four-over 75 and 72 in the first two rounds to be tied 47th, took his three-day total to five-over 218 at the Nilai Springs Golf and Country Club.

The Indian got birdies on the second and eighth holes against bogeys on the 11th and 17th for a 71.

Meanwhile, Chanat Sakulpolphaisan of Thailand fired five-under 66 to race into a three-shot lead.

The 25-year-old joint overnight leader returned with six birdies to lead on 14-under 199 and put himself in prime position to secure a first Asian Development Tour (ADT) victory.

Malcolm Kokocinski of Sweden and co-overnight leader Jordan Sherratt of Australia are also in the title hunt after carding a 65 and 69 respectively.

Chanat, who played collegiate golf for Mississippi college before turning professional last year, enjoyed a hot start when he fired five birdies on the first nine holes. He will hold the lead heading into the last day for the first time on the ADT.