Hend shows fine form at WGC-HSBC Champions

Australian golfer Scott Hend displayed the form that led him to three titles on the Asian Tour this season when he fired a flawless six-under-par 66 to take a share of 15th place at the WGC-HSBC Champions here Saturday.

Hend, ranked second on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, got off to a blistering start with three birdies in four holes starting from the par-two fifth. Having reached the turn in 33, the Australian parred the next four holes before picking up further gains on the 14th, 15th and 16th holes.

"I'm playing great and it's just a matter of getting the ball into a position where I can hole putts," said Hend.

Hend started the year in 262nd place on the Official World Golf Rankings but has soared up the rankings to 135th thanks largely to his treble of victories in Thailand, Chinese Taipei and Macau.

After carding a 74 in the second round, the big-hitting Australian was determined to make a stronger push towards the finishing line and gain more ranking points at the year's final World Golf Championship.

"Yesterday I hit some great shots but the ball landed on the wrong side of the hole. But I kept going and continued to do what I've been working hard on. It's just a matter of waiting for the right scoring opportunity," said Hend, who compiled a three-day total of seven-under-par 209.

India's sole representative Gaganjeet Bhullar, who opened his campaign brilliantly with a 69, found himself languishing in the bottom half of the leaderboard when he struggled to a 75 to take a share of 44th place.