SINGAPORE, Oct 8: Mardan Mamat kept Singapore on course for a World Cup berth with an inspirational fourball performance in a Nations Cup qualifier in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Saturday.

Mamat, Singapore’s number one, and Lam Chih Bing carded an eight-under-par 64 in the better ball format at Kota Permai Golf & Country Club to retain a one-shot lead over Malaysia’s Iain Steel and Danny Chia.

Chia and Steel, who is representing his country for the first time, made a blistering start by getting to six under after seven holes but then eased off on their way to a matching 64.

Wang Ter-chang and Chang Tse-peng of Taiwan were a further two strokes back in third place after returning a 65 in the 12-team qualifier, where two spots are up for grabs at next month’s WGC-World Cup in Portugal.

The big-hitting Lam, who struggled with his game early on after collecting a birdie at the opening hole, paid tribute to Mamat after the pair finishing the third day on 18-under 198.

Mamat’s first birdie of the day at the ninth, where he hit a wedge from 130 yards to within two feet of the flag, triggered a sparkling Singapore display over the closing nine.

Both players reeled off four birdies apiece as they picked up further shots on 11, 12, 13, 14 and 16.

Sunday’s final round at Kota Permai Golf & Country Club will be played over a foursomes format, where players take alternate shots until the hole is completed.

With 18 nations, plus hosts Portugal, already exempt for the November 17-20 World Cup at Victoria Clube de Golfe in Vilamoura, five more places are available for the 24-team event.

Two of those will be decided in Malaysia, with the remaining three up for grabs in an 18-team Nations Cup qualifier at El Tigre Golf Club in Vallarta Nayarit, Mexico, also finishing on Sunday.—Reuters