Lahiri drops to fourth in Selangor Masters

Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri dropped to fourth place after leading on the first two days at the Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters here Saturday.

An ailing overnight leader, Lahiri struggled to a 76 which included two closing double bogeys and ended a tough day, three shots behind Australian newcomer Cameron Smith, who snatched a one-shot lead from Thai duo Chapchai Nirat and Sattaya Supupramai after a bruising third round.

Lahiri, who came down with a stomach bug, staggered home with two birdies against three bogeys and two double bogeys.

"I was cramping up in my stomach as I had an issue with my gut. Every time I started my downswing, I would cramp up," said the Indian, who finished runner-up here last season.

"I took some medication before the round but at the seventh, it got too much and I had to go (to the toilet). Every 20 to 30 minutes, I kept getting spasm. It was tough. But having said all that, I should have done better than I did. I'm still only three back though. I have to play as I did in the first day and try to get into the zone and make as many birdies as I can (tomorrow)."

Compatriot S.S.P. Chowrasia is now just one shot behind Lahiri in tied fifth place. Chowrasia also had a poor day with a third round score of 73 pushing him down in the standings.